Dorset boy, 12, competing for third Transplant Games gold medal
Albie Wareham, from Ferndown, will be taking part in the tennis
A 12-year-old boy from Ferndown, Dorset is competing at the British Transplant Games this weekend. It’s Albie Wareham’s third time competing since his life-saving liver transplant - and he’ll be looking take home the tennis gold once again.
Albie Wareham received his transplant back in 2021 after suffering acute liver failure.
After the procedure, Albie fell in love with tennis, and is looking to win his third gold medal at this weekend's Games.
Albie's mum Verity said: "It's nice that he can take part in something and be among people who are like him.
"They all have a lot of hospital appointments, they all have to miss a lot of school, they all have various other health issues because of their transplants."
The Games are also a bonding experience for the athletes' families, with more than 900 transplant recipients taking part in 26 sporting events this year.
Verity said: "I find it really helpful that I can speak to other families, just to be around other parents who just get it, who understand what I go through on a daily basis."
Why were the British Transplant Games set up?
The Transplant Games were set up in 1978 to raise awareness of the challenges that can follow medical transplants.
This year's Games kicked off on Thursday 31st July and will run until Sunday 3rd August. Oxford is the 2025 host city, and organisers are expecting a 1,400-strong crowd.
Event winners will have the chance to compete in Dresden, Germany at the World Transplant Games on 17th August.
An event organiser said the Games "celebrates the gift of life through sport."
Every year, around 4,600 organ transplants are performed in the UK.