Jackie and I are taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise funds for the Leeds Adult Transplant Sport Team — a community that truly changes lives.

This inspiring group brings together transplant recipients aged 18 to 87, along with their families and friends. We take part in sports for fun and competition, but it’s about far more than finish lines or medals. It’s about friendship, confidence, recovery, and celebrating the gift of life. Through sport, social events, and peer support, the team creates a network of people who understand the transplant journey like no one else can.

Twelve years ago, I received my life-saving transplant. Joining the Leeds Adult Transplant Sport Team played a huge part in helping me rebuild my life. With their encouragement and shared experience, I regained my strength, confidence, and a sense of normality. Just as importantly, the support extended to my family, helping all of us through those challenging early days.

Since I joined, the team has supported well over 100 transplant recipients, and we want to help make sure many more people get the same opportunities I and my family had — the chance to experience the full range of what life can be after transplant.

And just to make this fundraising effort even more interesting… I’m actually a discus thrower, not a runner. So a half marathon is a serious challenge for me! Every mile will be a reminder of how far transplant recipients can go with the right support behind them.

Your donation will help the team continue welcoming new recipients and their families, supporting recovery through sport, building lasting friendships, and showing people what’s possible after transplant.

This is also a moment to recognise the incredible generosity of organ donors and their families — without them, none of these second chances would exist.

Thank you for helping us turn miles into meaningful impact. Every pound truly makes a difference