Tilly is raising money to attend the British Transplant Games this summer. Tilly was born with Biliary Atresia, a rare liver disease and had her first surgery at 6 weeks old. Whilst initially deemed a success, Tilly's health deteriorated and she was placed on the transplant list at 8 months old, having her life saving liver transplant just after her first birthday, at King's College Hospital.

Tilly has attended the British Transplant Games three times before. They are an amazing set of events where children and adults who have received a full organ or bone marrow transplant can compete together in a series of events. This year Tilly hopes to compete in 50m sprint, 2.5km donor run, football, ball throw, long jump and obstacle course (which I have also registered for – what am I thinking!!). But it’s not all about sport.

We try to treat Tilly as any other child on a day to day basis, but the hospital visits and blood tests take their toll. The 3.5 months shielding during covid is still having an impact. Being part of this team gives her a sense of belonging to a group who share the same scars, physically, emotionally and mentally.

Anyone that knows Tilly will see her as a confident, outgoing, sporty girl. However, as children approach puberty many are affected by anxiety and body image issues. Belonging to this team is hugely important to Tilly and her self esteem.

I appreciate that times are tough financially for many but if you can spare any small amount, any donations you could make to get her there would be incredibly appreciated.

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.

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