Hello,
My name is Kelly Young. I am 28 years old and some of you will know me as a swimming teacher at Stratford Park Leisure Centre, in Stroud. I also swim with Stroud Masters Swimming Club.

I was born with a condition called biliary atresia which is a blockage in the tubes (ducts) that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. At 8 weeks old I had an operation called a Kasai but unfortunately it failed, so I was listed for a liver transplant. I received a living-related liver transplant (part of my Mum’s liver),in August 1994, just at the age of 8 months.

I have attended the annual British Transplant Games every year since 2002. At the British Transplant Games competitors represent the hospital at which they received their transplant, in my case King’s College Hospital, London. In addition to the sporting challenges we attend the Games to meet up with friends and generally enjoy a few days of fun and sharing amongst so many who have had life-threatening illnesses, but are now fit and well as a result of a successful transplant, although we all require daily immunosuppressive medication and regular monitoring.

Following my success at the 2022 British Transplant Games, held in Leeds, where I won 2 golds and 2 silvers in swimming, I have been selected to represent Great Britain amd Northern Ireland at the World Transplant Games to be held in Perth, Australia 2023. Over 1,000 transplant recipients from around the world take part; to raise awareness of the benefits of organ transplantation and to highlight the need for organ donors, whilst also celebrating our second chance at life.

As a member of the GB team I am required to raise my own funds to pay for travel, accommodation, insurance and team kit. The estimated cost of my participation at the Games is £3,100 - £3,500.

Thank you for taking the time to read my fundraising page.

 Please consider sponsoring me.  Any contribution you would be able to offer would be greatly appreciated.

 Kelly x