A BRAVE five-year-old from Droitwich Spa who underwent a life-saving liver transplant has scooped gold at the prestigious British Transplant Games, writes Ramla Soni.
Imogen Raxter won the ‘Best Child Aged Five and Under’ title at last month’s national event held in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.
The youngster was part of a 36-strong team of young people who excelled in a number of sports including athletics, tennis and swimming and ended up bringing back 92 medals, including 45 gold.
Her exploits also helped secure the prestigious ‘Best Children’s Team’ title for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, part of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, for the 21st year in a row.
Backed by family, friends and staff the team, made up of children who have undergone a mixture of transplant operations including liver and kidney, excelled in a number of sports including athletics, tennis and swimming.
Along with Imogen’s success, eight-year-old Charlotte Trinder, from Oxford, won the ‘Best Child Between Six to Eight years’ and ten-year-old Luca Biagetti, from Cheshire, scooped the ‘Best Child Between Nine and Eleven Years’ prize.
All three winners have previously had liver transplants at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Sara Clarke, Senior Specialist Dietitian at the specialist hospital has been part of the management team for the Transplant Games for the past 15 years.
She said: “This year’s Transplant Games were incredible.
“The people of North Lanarkshire were so welcoming, our transplant athletes were amazing both in their sporting performance and sportsmanship.
“To lift the ‘Best Children’s Team’ trophy again was just fantastic.
“Through their outstanding performances these children and young people show how transplantation transforms lives, they are a credit to their families, transplant units, and their amazing donors and families.
“We’re already setting our sights on next year’s games when it comes to Brum, which is so exciting.”
Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call the Organ Donor Line on 0300 123 2323 to find out more about organ donation or register on the national organ donation list.
