British
Transplant Games - Belfast 2011
Aug 4th-7th
The team consisted of 8 veteran athletes including myself, ages ranging from 46 to 72, They had been training for these Games pretty much since the last Games, with some taking on new disciplines, ranging from Archery, Cycling, to the Swimming Pool.
This year the British Transplant Games returned to Belfast for the first time in almost 20 years. The Coventry Transplant team assembled at the City Hall in Donegal Square in bright sunshine, along with the all of other teams. The parade, of all the Adult and Children’s teams, along with representatives of the Donor Families, were due to process from City Hall over to the Belfast Waterfront Hall, in full view of Belfast. Needless to say, we had to wait until the heavens opened before we processed, but it was to the applause of the citizens of Belfast that we paraded –making us feel very appreciated when we finally got under cover, albeit slightly more damp than we would have liked.
Over the four days of competition the team were involved in 36 events, resulting in 11 Gold – 1 Silver and 4 Bronze medals. Yours truly achieved a Bronze medal in the Ten Pin Bowling tournament....
The Games then drew to a close with the Gala Dinner and final awards of the evening. This was held in the Kings Hall, Belfast, for 1,400 competitors and guest, where the final awards of the Games were presented. The Silver Salver for the best female athlete in the Super Super Veteran was awarded to our very own Elizabeth Minty, in recognition of her 5 Gold medals at the Games.
Participating in the Games is about just that – participating, competing - winning any medals is a bonus. The Games celebrate the Gift Of Life, that Transplants do work, they bring life, and that through Sport we demonstrate this fact to all, the need for more Organ Donors for the 6,000 patients in the UK waiting for a transplant.
So here’s to BTG2012 – at Medway!
Michael Horton
PTS Booking Office,
Dale Street,
Leamington Spa
Coventry had 8 transplant patients taking part in the Belfast Transplant Games. Declan Logue, Elizabeth Minty, John Maguire, Grace Newman, Jean Wilson, Sarah Lewis, Michael Horton and Kate Balfour.
Transplant Sport UK has the privilege of being an official charity of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon 2011. An exciting and unique opportunity to increase the number of signatures on the NHS Organ Donor Register and raise much needed funds to continue the work of the charity.
