WOKINGHAM resident Helen Wilson has been selected to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the upcoming World Transplant Games.
The games, which will take place between Saturday, April 15- Tuesday, April 21, will see 150 athletes represent Team GB.
The World Transplant Games, which works in partnership with the charity Transplant Sport, usually take place every two years and are supported by the International Olympic Committee.
Due to the pandemic, the last time the Games took place was 2019 in Newcastle. The sporting event represents the largest organ donor awareness event in the world, featuring a week of 17 sporting events.
Team GB will join over 1,000 other transplant athletes and live donors from 60 countries across the globe.
One of the largest teams in the world will be representing Great Britain and NI at the World Transplant Games 15th – 21st April 2023.
Helen received a kidney from her brother in February 2007 and a liver from an incredible donor family in December 2013 following diagnosis of polycystic disease.
Helen is currently British Champion in her sports of discus, shot and javelin and is also the European Champion in discus and shot.
She is training hard with her coach Ken Spencer at Bracknell Athletics Club as well as doing regular sessions in the gym to ensure she is as fit and ready as possible to represent her donors, her hospitals and everyone who has supported her on her journey so far.
Helen said “This is an incredible opportunity to raise awareness about organ donation and the Transplant Games as well as to encourage people to have conversations with their loved ones to share their wishes about organ donation.
“I am very proud and honoured to have been selected for Team GB.”
At the World Transplant Games in 2019 in Newcastle, Helen won bronze in shot and silver in discus and will be doing her very best to bring home a medal from Australia.
Lynne Holt, Team Manager, added: “We are delighted to be demonstrating the benefits of transplantation. These Games certainly deserve the same recognition as the Olympic and Para Olympic Games.
“Selection on to our team is just the beginning as it is an enormous commitment of both time and money.
“The next months will be busy for the athletes, keeping fit, regularly training in their sport, attending regular team training meets, doing publicity, however, the opportunity to compete, celebrate life and in doing so, paying tribute to their donors, is the goal.”
