This year will be Ollie’s 5th British Transplant Games and in August he will be 7 years post transplant.

To be honest we weren’t sure we were going to be at this years games as we are off making memories exploring Canada, we should have been heading out a week earlier but Ollie told us in no uncertain terms that we were going and that was that. So flights rearranged and we fly out the day after the games finish.

Ollie absolutely loves the games and this year is competing in the obstacle race, 50m run, ball throw and long jump. As well as challenging us to 5km in the donor run (he wants to beat his PB of 40mins!) he is also competing in the social football and tug of war.

The games mean so much to us as a family, we get to meet old friends and make new friends. Ollie can just be himself and have fun with those who understand everything he goes through throughout the year - hospital appointment, blood tests, scans, injections to name a few.

The games is the perfect antidote to making Ollie a happy man.

Also we will never forget our amazing donor and her family. Miriam’s parents will be with us again this year and supporting Ollie all the way. Last year we were honoured that Miriam’s Mum presented Ollie with one of his medals.

We know that life can be challenging with the cost of living but it would be amazing that instead of a coffee or a bar of chocolate if you could donate to Ollie’s fundraising page.

King’s runs the largest liver transplantation programme in Europe and carries out around 50 paediatric transplants per year. Although most children return to a normal life after transplant, they are left with scars, both physical and emotional.

Transplants are a treatment, not a cure. The children and young people on our team usually need lifelong medication, they have frequent hospital appointments, blood tests and other procedures, and are more susceptible to illness and infection.

For our young people the differences from their peers can make them feel isolated, and medical appointments and treatments can make it feel that they have no control over their own bodies. This can lead to poor body image and carries a risk of negative behavioural health outcomes, such as nonadherence to medication, missed medical appointments, and poor health.

Our team is about fun, friendship, and building vital support networks. Enabling children and young people to know they are not alone, they are not the only ones with scars and daily medication, or experiencing the side effects of transplantation.

Being part of the team provides support long after the event, and creates lifelong memories. Our team members come from across the UK, and beyond, and the Games are an important way to bring our families together. We want to reach more families and enable more children and young people to attend and share the benefits.

Please visit our social media to see quotes from families about how important the Games are to them. https://www.instagram.com/kingschildrensteam/

To find out more about the team please email team manager Jo Ramsay at kingschildrenstt@gmail.com.

For more information on the charity's support for the team please visit https://supportkings.org.uk/what-you-make-possible/difference-were-making/british-transplant-games.

We are fundraising for the British Transplant Games Fund D2338.

* * *

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.