The Deputy Lord Mayor, Andrew Sangar welcomed everyone to Sheffield. He will be Lord Mayor at the time of the Games and was pleased that the city is hosting the event for the third time. One of the venues will be the Sheffield indoor athletic stadium at the Olympic Legacy Park.

The Chair of Westfield heath, Steve Purdham, talked about staging the most ambitious inclusive Games ever. The Games are a celebration of life after transplant. He also stressed the need to talk about organ donation and said that one donor could save 9 lives and transform the lives of 50 other people. Hosting the Games will bring lots of benefits to Sheffield as thousands of people will come to hotels and venues.

Pete McKee is well known as an artist, but he is also the recipient of a liver transplant as is his elder brother. Pete and Karen Piotr spoke movingly about the transplant which was carried out in Leeds. Karen’s husband, Mark, had died suddenly and she consented to his organs being donated. Eight people, including Pete, were given a second chance of life due to Karen honouring Mark’s wishes and she is now involved with the Donor Family Network. Pete decided to take up golf afte his transplant.He has competed in several British Transplant Games and is a great advocate for the Games.

Mahmud Nawaz, Chair of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, spoke about his involvement with the Games and with organ donation. His own wife died suddenly at a young age and because she carried a donor card he did not hesitate to give permission for her organs to be used to save 4 lives.

He was joined by Sabia Rehman, one of the chaplains at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. She has received two corneal transplants. She spoke about the need to challenge ethnic communities to talk about organ donation. 

At 15 years old,Freddie Fox is one of the younger  competitors in the Games, having been part of the Leeds Childrens Team. It is hoped that a Sheffield Childrens Team will be formed for the 2026 Games.

Ryan competed in his first Transplant Games at the age of 4, having received a kidney donated by his mother and he carried on to become a member of Team GB at the World Transplant Games. He now studies sports science.

Ellie is a student at Hallam University and competes in swimming following her liver transplant. She wants to work in sports photography.

New Team Members welcome

Adult transplant patients of any age are very welcome to become part of the Sheffield Team. There are also events for living donors.

The Games work on many levels. Some participants are keen sportspeople, but many others attend to have a good time and to have a go at a new activity. You are very welcome to come along and try an activity for the first time and no previous experience is needed.

You don't have to be a sporty person.  It is more the chance to have an enjoyable time, to say thank you for your gift of life and to show that you can be fit and well after a transplant.This is an ideal opportunity to join with other transplant recipients to have a great time. 

The atmosphere makes the participants feel like part of an extended family, and everyone is made to feel very welcome. 

Sports include golf, archery, squash, basketball,volleyball, snooker, table tennis, ten pin bowling, swimming, badminton, darts, football, track and field events, bowls, cycling, petanque etc. and there are also social events.

If you would like more details or if you are interested in joining the Sheffield Team please get in touch with Charlotte, the Team Manager:

07732685244

Email:  Charlottemorton1977@gmail.com

Very well done to everyone in the Sheffield Adult Team at the 2025 Oxford British Transplant Games. 

Congratulations to the medal winners, and a big thank you to all Team members for flying the flag for Sheffield.

There were 18 Sheffield competitors in the Games, and they won a total of 14 MEDALS