WARRINGTON played host to the annual Transplant Sports UK Racquets tournament, organised by the charity, Transplant Sport UK, at David Lloyd Leisure.
This is the fifth year that the tournament has expanded from badminton only, to include tennis and squash. The competitors participating in the event have had a life saving organ transplant including kidney, heart, liver, lung and bone marrow and travelled from all parts of the UK and Eire to compete in this exciting competition.
The aims of the tournament are to create a greater awareness and understanding of the benefits of transplantation, and at the same time highlight the desperate need for more people to sign onto the NHS Organ Donor Register.
The event was coordinated by Andy Knox and Lynne Carr, herself a mother of a Transplantee. Andy is himself a double ‘living related kidney recipient’ from The Royal Liverpool University Hospital and used this tournament as an opportunity to train for this year’s British Transplant Games being held in Medway in August and the World Transplant Games in South Africa 2013!
Andy said: “It is a privilege to have held the tournament in Warrington as it is an excellent way of promoting donor awareness to the general public and prove how patients can return to an active life after a transplant.”
Sports Manager Scott Mykoluk, added:“David Lloyd Warrington are delighted to be associated with the TSUK Racquets event and are honoured to have hosted this event again, as we did in 2010. A number of our members and coaches are closely associated with TSUK and we are proud that we have the opportunity to support this event and
raise the awareness of the need for organ donation.
Lynne Holt, Transplant Coordinator, at the Freeman Hospital and Manager of Team UK, says: “Many of the transplant athletes have experienced near death situations and long illness, and it’s gratifying to see them able to enjoy a full life, thanks to organ donation. Hopefully, this event will encourage others to sign on the Organ Donor Register
and most importantly, discuss their wishes with their loved ones.”
Pictures show from the top – left to right, James Lavin, Jack Booth collecting his Lavin Outstanding Achievement Award and Transplant Sport UK Trustee Lynne Holt.
Anthony Grace collecting his bronze medal with Transplant Sport UK Tennis Coach Jimmy Stewart and joint organiser Andrew Knox.
Results
Transplant Tennis Mens – GOLD Andrew Knox (Royal Liverpool)
SILVER Richard Benbelaid (Hammersmith)
BRONZE Matthew Lynch (Birmingham)
Transplant Tennis Ladies – GOLD Deborah Chudy (St Georges)
SILVER Helen Tasker (Birmingham)
BRONZE Flora King (Gosh Renal)
Invitational Tennis Mixed
JOINT GOLD Andrew Knox and Todd Rangiwhetu
BRONZE Antony Grace (Warrington)
Transplant Squash Mens – GOLD Gerald Brown
SILVER Jamie Lonsdale
BRONZE Mike Gibbons
Ladies Transplant Squash
GOLD Helen Tasker
Invitational Squash Mixed
GOLD Guy Hill
SILVER Dan Lonsdale
Transplant Badminton Mens Singles
GOLD Jack Booth
SILVER Neil Smith
BRONZE Jon Fox
Transplant Badminton Ladies Singles
GOLD Liz Hosford
SILVER Eileen Moxley
BRONZE Jade Carr
Invitational Badminton Mixed
GOLD Jon Fox
SILVER Claire Downer
BRONZE Jade Carr
There were three special awards also.
The Cliff Lavin Award for Outstanding Achievement – Jack Booth
The Cliff Lavin Award for Best Male Achiever – Andrew Knox
The Cliff Lavin Award for Best Female Achiever – Eileen Moxley
