Celebrating the Gift of Life: Supporting the Edinburgh Transplant Team at the British Transplant Games

Every year, hundreds of people across the UK receive a life-saving organ transplant. But leaving the operating theatre is just the beginning. Recovery is more than the healing of surgical scars, it includes staying active, rebuilding confidence, and connecting with others who understand what life after transplant feels like.

Events like the British Transplant Games support this recovery. These Games are about more than sport, they’re about resilience, wellbeing and community. For transplant patients, they provide a powerful incentive to stay active and engaged with their health, while offering a network of people who share their experiences. By helping patients attend, we give them the chance to regain strength, reduce isolation, and celebrate life beyond treatment.

Bringing the Team Together

In July 2025, thanks to your support, the Edinburgh Transplant Team travelled to Oxford to take part in the Games. The team included 26 members, organ recipients, live donors, and their families, competing in sports from swimming and archery to athletics and tennis. Over four days, they returned home with 16 medals, an incredible achievement that reflects their determination and spirit.

More Than Medals

Winning medals was something to celebrate, but the benefits went far beyond the podium. Preparing for the Games gave participants a clear goal to work towards, helping them regain fitness and confidence after surgery. It also offered something harder to measure: a sense of belonging.

I love coming to the Games,” says Millie, who attended her 16th Games. “The event is so important for promoting organ donation, for highlighting the benefits of transplantation, and for honouring donors and their families. I love competing, but I also love meeting up with the transplant community each year, and playing my part in raising awareness.”

Sara, a kidney recipient, and Gary, her live donor, were among the first-timers. Preparing for the Games gave them a shared goal after surgery. They described the event as “very inspiring”, and their two children were there to cheer Sara on to a medal-winning swim.

Team captain Frank Clarke, who first attended in 1981, summed it up perfectly:

It’s not about medals; it really is about the taking part. We’re all here because of the transplants we’ve received. Organ donation truly is the gift of life.”

The Impact

Participation in the Games improves physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Patients feel more motivated, less isolated, and more engaged with their care. Families benefit too; sharing experiences, forming friendships, and celebrating together.

Yet the cost of attending can be a real barrier for patients and families. But thanks to generous NHS Lothian Charity supporters, registration and travel costs were subsidised, ensuring that everyone who wanted to take part could do so.

Looking Ahead

Congratulations to the Edinburgh Transplant Team for their incredible effort and spirit. Their success reflects determination and teamwork, and they’re already looking ahead to future games, continuing to champion life after transplant and the importance of organ donation.