Transplant Games are coming

Hundreds of inspirational transplant recipients will soon be heading to Lanarkshire for the 2017 Westfield Health British Transplant Games (WHBTG).

The event, which was officially launched last week, is expected to attract more than 750 transplant athletes and more than 1500 supporters to North Lanarkshire in July 2017.

Organised on behalf of the charity Transplant Sport, the aim of the Games is to raise awareness of organ donation and increase sign ups to the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

Councillor Jim Mccabe, chair of WHBTG North Lanarkshire 2017, said:“it is a magnificent honour for our county to host the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in 2017.

“It gives me immense pride to welcome the wider Games family to North Lanarkshire; the support everyone has shown us today paints a strong picture of things to come.”

Andy Eddy, chairman of Transplant Sport, added:“we are delighted to be taking the WHBTG back to Scotland for the fourth time, and we really hope that our message of having the donation conversation will ensure that more families give consent to the donation of their loved ones’organs.”

Swimming will take place in Sir Matt Busby Sport Complex with athletics at Wishaw Sports Centre.

All the other sports will be delivered throughout other venues across North Lanarkshire.