Hi everyone!

Thank you very much for visiting my fundraising page

My kidney problems have been a part of my life since before my birth. Both of my kidneys were damaged  before I was born due to posterior urethral valves and the doctors decided to remove the worst affected kidney when I was five weeks old. The other kidney had enough function for the time being, but everyone knew that one day something would need to be done to resolve the problem properly. Over the next ten years I led as normal a life as I could with medication and close monitoring at the children’s hospital in Aberdeen.

When I was 10, I could no longer live on my one remaining kidney so they had to choose between a transplant or dialysis. Very bravely, my dad stepped up and offered one of his kidneys. Luckily he was a perfect match and the transplant was arranged for the 11^th of November 1999 at Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgow.

The kidney lasted 9 years. Over these years I became a lot fitter and led a fairly normal life. I competed in 6 British Transplant Games and won 22 medals (15 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze) and was awarded the best 16-17 year old competitor in 2006. This led to my selection for the 15^th World Transplant Games in London, Ontario Canada in 2005. This was a huge privilege as it was only the second time teenagers had been selected to represent team GB. I worked and trained exceptionally hard, desperate to perform well, not just for myself but to emphasise and demonstrate the new lease of life people receive when they are transplanted. As this was a worldwide event with a huge audience, I knew this was the best opportunity to promote organ donation. All the hard work paid off as I went home with 4 gold medals and one silver and a huge sense of pride and achievement.

My good health continued and I carried on my training and competing in the British Transplant Games. This then led to my second selection for the GB transplant team, this time to represent my country in Bangkok, Thailand in 2007. To be selected for a second time was an excellent feeling as it meant people had felt I had performed well on both the British and International level for transplant recipients. I managed to win a silver and a bronze medal in these games however I did not feel I competed to the best of my ability and I put this down to the change of climate and my first ever adults competition.

Within a week of returning home however, I was in hospital with numerous tests performed on me. My kidney was failing fast and I was going to need a new transplant. There were no relatives able to donate organs so I was placed on the organ donor register. During this time I started haemodialysis. This was a huge drain on my life, I could no longer play sports to the level I used to and even struggled with school work due to the tiring effect dialysis and kidney failure had on me. I was on dialysis only 6 months when I received the call at 5am on the 4^th of July 2008 saying they had kidney for me. I remember one of the first things I said to my parents after the transplant was “Does this mean I can compete in the World Transplant Games again?” I love competing in both the British and world transplant games as it gives me something to aim for every year and have found great friends in the team members. I train hard in order to perform well and prove to people that after a transplant it is possible to live life to the maximum. My attendance at the WTG is not just about sport, it is about helping people realise how important transplantation is to every single person in the world and how it can and does change lives. Don’t forget anyone may need a transplant at any time.

Promoting organ donation is a topic held very close to my heart. It is vital people wishing to donate organs place themselves on the organ donor register and discuss their thoughts and wishes with their family members. For more info please go to: - www.uktransplant.org.uk

My aim is to raise £7,500 overall before September this year. This will cover travel, kit and accommodation at the games, weekly training and comulsary team meetings in Loughborough/Warwick since the team was picked in September. My parents are accompanying me and the above total includes their costs as well however all money donated on this website will go solely towards myself as my parents are seeking funding seperately.  I know money is a very serious issue at the moment and times are hard, but any amount, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated and put to very good use.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Transplant Sport UK gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this short summary of my story so far!