My name is Graham Matthew and I am 45 years young! I am married to Linzi and we have two fantastic kids, Becca (16) and Greig (8). By day I am a Chief Biomedical Scientist, and by night………….. its best not to talk about!
I have had kidney disease since the age of 14. When I reached the age of 38, I urgently required dialysis. My sister Lorraine kindly donated one of her kidneys to me 10 days before my 40 Birthday. Since then, I have been very active and have resumed my sporting activities. I take place in the UK Transplant Games each year and to date I have amassed 4 Gold Medals (3 Squash, 1 Four Man Bobsleigh!) and 1 Silver Medal (Squash). I was selected for the UK Team to go to the World Transplant Games in Bangkok 2007 where I won a Bronze Medal in Squash.
I am very honoured to have been selected again for the UK Team to participate in the World transplant Games on the Gold Coast Australia 2009. In Order to compete, I must raise all my own cash for flights, accommodation, administration, insurance, kit and to attend three out of four UK Team Meetings in Loughborough/Coventry. The total cost will be in the region of £2,700. If I can raise more than this, I intend to use any excess funds to take my wife Linzi with me to support me.
To raise funds, on Sunday 28 June, I undertook a "Sponsored Stupidathon" with my friends and my sister Lorraine. In one day, we
1) Climbed Mount Keen (The most easterly of the Munros at 939m/3081ft and one of the most solitary) - Jocky Reid, Gary Anderson, Lesley Richardson, Sarah Richardson, Gary Richardson, Graham Matthew - Time 4hrs 15 mins
2) Cycled from Mount Keen into Montrose (27 Miles) - Lorraine Matthew, Graham Matthew - Time 1hr 50mins
3) Swim 1 Mile in Montrose Pool - Alex Martin, Lesley Richardson, Linzi Matthew, Graham Matthew - Time 37mins
4) Challenge my friends to a few games of Squash!! - Alex Martin, Gary Richardson, Lesley Richardson, Gary Anderson, Graham Matthew - Time 1hr 30mins
We did also have a valient attempt at breaking the World Record for Ferrero Rocher eating in 1 minute. We managed a 5! (World Record 7)
I undertook this challenge for the very same reason that I participate in the Transplant games – To raise awareness of the NHS Organ Donor Register and Transplantation. Even if you can not help me financially, please, please, please sign up for the Organ Donor Register by calling 0845 60 60 400 or by logging onto www.uktransplant.org.uk
