Lambeth resident brings home a bronze from the British Transplant Games
20 September 2024 - Simon, who received a liver transplant, flies the flag for King’s
Simon Randerson, 67, from Lambeth, South London, recently headed to Nottingham for the British Transplant Games 2024, taking home a bronze medal in swimming (backstroke).
About a thousand transplant recipients of all ages took part in various sports at the 2024 British Transplant Games, which was held this year in Nottingham for the first time from 1 to 4 August. The games, which have been running for more than 40 years, are aimed at showing the benefits of transplantation, encouraging patients to regain fitness, and increasing awareness of the need for more people to join the organ donor register. To attend the games, athletes must have received a life-saving organ transplant such as heart, lung, liver or kidney and be on immunosuppressive medication to stop the body rejecting the new organ.
Simon has chronic hepatitis B and underwent a liver transplant at King’s College Hospital in 2002 after he developed liver failure. Simon said: “I received my transplant 22 years ago, and it transformed my life. I’ve achieved some incredible things thanks to my transplant, and in 2005 I was selected to take part in the World Transplant Games in London, Ontario, as a swimmer.
“I have been to almost all World and British Summer Games since then, and it was an honour to be able to attend the 2024 Games in Nottingham. Bringing home a medal was just the icing on the cake.
“If it wasn’t for ‘the gift of life’ from my donor, none of this would have been possible.”
Harry Bannister, Specialist Nurse Organ Donation at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Simon’s performance at the British Transplant Games is something to be incredibly proud of. Just like Simon, many of his competitors defied the odds to be here today, and it’s a privilege and inspiration to see everyone taking part.
“The British Transplant Games are a celebration of life, and they remind us all that the gift of organ donation can transform lives, giving people the opportunity to do truly extraordinary things.”