Today (24th January 2024) Transplant Sport has officially launched the 2024 British Transplant Games, the annual event of charity Transplant Sport, in Nottingham.
The launch saw the Games organisers looking ahead to the multi-sport event, set to take place in August this year and unite the entire transplant community, including 1,000 transplanted athletes.
This morning a launch event took place at The University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus, generously provided by Games partner Nottingham Venues, which saw Games stakeholders, sponsors, partners, donor families, and transplant recipients, gather and officially countdown to the 46th annual Games.
Transplant Sport has been delighted with the success of the 2023 British Transplant Games (Coventry) and the Nottingham Games are set to be bigger and better than ever; taking place in venues across Nottinghamshire next summer from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th of August 2024.
The Games aim to raise awareness of the life-saving benefits of organ donation and encourage transplant recipients to stay active post-transplant. Transplanted athletes ranging from the ages of three to eighty plus, from over 60 hospital teams across the UK, will represent their transplant unit with the support of family, friends and volunteers to compete in the Games.
Seeking to reach and engage families and communities in Nottingham and the wider Midlands region, as well as spark vital conversations around organ donation and prompt people to share their decisions with loved ones, the Games will celebrate the gift of life and give the transplant community the opportunity to reconnect.
Dr Paul Harden, Chair of Transplant Sport, said: “I’m sure I can vouch for everyone involved in the Games in saying that we are all really looking forward to a wonderful event hosted in Nottingham as we know the facilities will be first class. I have no doubt this year's Games will be the best yet through our ongoing support network from the stakeholder board, talented athletes and volunteers making it their mission to leave a legacy behind in Nottingham.”
The British Transplant Games are being staged with the continued support of Westfield Health, Kidney Care UK, Anthony Nolan, NHSBT and Extra Motorway Services. Local partners who have committed to financially support the Games include Nottingham Hospitals Charity, the Nottingham Organ Donation Committee, Nottingham University and Nottingham Trent University, with Nottingham Venues committing to a Tier 1 partnership announced at the launch event.
Steve Purdham, Chair of Westfield Health, said: “We are so delighted to be sponsoring the Games once again for 2024. The Westfield Health British Transplant Games is an amazing vehicle for conversation around organ donation and a great way for transplanted athletes to stay active and have a goal to strive for each year. We would strongly encourage businesses to engage with this life-affirming event and feel the magic of the Transplant Games!”
Tim Reddish CBE DL, Chairman at the 2024 British Transplant Games, said: “It is an absolute honour to have been selected to Chair the 2024 Games. My career in sport will, I’m sure, assist me in making this a fantastic Games and I look forward to sharing my experience and knowledge of competitive sporting events. This is also a wonderful chance to express our gratitude towards the donor families and live donors who selflessly contribute to improving the quality of life for people all over the UK. I strongly encourage everyone in the vicinity of the Games to attend and witness first-hand the inspiring stories of the athletes and families involved this summer!"
For more information on the Westfield Health British Transplant Games and how you can get involved, visit: https://www.britishtransplantgames.co.uk/.