Press Centre
TRANSPLANT RACQUETS TOURNAMENT
Warrington
24th April 2010
The annual Transplant Sports UK Racquets tournament, organised by the charity, Transplant Sport UK, will be held at the David Lloyd Leisure, Warrington on Saturday 24th April, 9 am – 4 pm.
This is the third year that the tournament has expanded from badminton only, to include tennis and squash. Over 30 competitors participating in the event have had a life saving organ transplant including kidney, heart, liver, lung and bone marrow and will be travelling from all parts of the UK and Eire to compete in this exciting competition.
The aims of the Tournament are to create a greater awareness and understanding of the benefits of transplantation, and at the same time highlight the desperate need for more people to sign onto the NHS Organ Donor Register.
This event, coordinated by Andy Knox, himself a kidney recipient from The Royal Liverpool University Hospital, will also be attended by Team UK athletes, who will use this tournament as an opportunity to train for this year’s European Transplant Games, being held in Dublin in August.
Andy Knox comments: “it is a privilege to hold the tournament in Warrington as it is an excellent way of promoting donor awareness to the general public and prove how patients can return to an active life after a transplant”
Simon Durbin General Manager “David Lloyd Warrington are delighted to be associated with the TSUK Racquets event and are honoured to host this event. A number of our members and coaches are closely associated with TSUK and we are proud that we have the opportunity to support this event and raise the awareness of the need for organ donation.
David Lloyd is the number 1 Racquets and Health and Fitness Club in the UK with Clubs at over 80 locations. Find out more at www.davidlloyd.co.uk.”
Lynne Holt, Transplant Coordinator, at the Freeman Hospital and Manager of Team UK, says: “Many of the transplant athletes have experienced near death situations and long illness, and it’s gratifying to see them able to enjoy a full life, thanks to organ donation. Hopefully, this event will encourage others to sign on the Organ Donor Register and most importantly, discuss their wishes with their loved ones’.
The general public is welcome to come along to spectate or just to pick up the Organ Donor Register information, which will be on display in the reception areas.
Ends
April 2010
Note to editors
All the athletes who are competing in this event have heart-warming stories to tell, and many have competed in other national and international events. For further information please contact Andy on 07940938221 or Lynne on 07900014344, who can supply details and contact numbers in your area.
Andy has had 2 living related kidney transplants, a kidney from his Mother in 1998 and his Father in 2006.
Transplant patients owe their lives to the generosity of others, who donate the ‘Gift of Life’. Please help us to raise public awareness about transplantation and sign up on the Organ Donor register. To register, and for more information please go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk or contact the Organ Donor Line on 03001232323
For more information on Transplant Sport UK , contact Dominic Dennis or Justine Hoadley on 020 8977 9132 or email tsukteam@harrisonsadler.com or visit www.transplantsport.org.uk.
Thank you on behalf of transplant patients and their families.
Transplant Sport UK is often asked for information on the British Transplant Games, and transplant stories about our competitors. We have our own PR company who will answer any queries from the press.
For press information, photography, or case studies please contact Madeleine Roles or Justine Hoadley at HSL on 0208 977 9132. For more information on Transplant Sport UK call 01962 865 030.
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