This summer (27-30 July 2023) thousands of transplant recipients, live donors, supporters and donor families will be coming together in Coventry for the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, the flagship event of Transplant Sport, and the biggest celebration of organ donation.
A total of 20 organisations, from across the UK have come together to show their support of the Games and the gift of life, which has generated a total of over £250,000. The Games would not be possible without the generosity from the supporters which provide a financial, physical and emotional commitment to help raise awareness of the Games and champion the importance of organ donation.
The 2023 Games has over 2,500 people taking part, making it one of the biggest Games so far. From this, an incredible 786 people will be attending for the first time. Long-term partners include Westfield Health, Kidney Care UK, Anthony Nolan, the Donor Family Network, B.Braun, CV Life, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, ICON Creative Design, Liquid and Games organisers MLS and NHS Blood and Transplant.
Kidney Care UK will also be providing financial assistance so that both adult and paediatric kidney teams can take part. In 2022 the charity supported around one third of the teams to take part in the Games and are looking to provide similar levels of support for the Games in Coventry in 2023.
For this year’s Coventry Games, local collaborators include Coventry City Council, Coventry University and University of Warwick, each of which are planning to provide facilities to host sporting events such as basketball, football and athletics. University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire Charity is championing the annual Donor Run, the only event that is open to all and is expected to draw in thousands of participants.
Coventry-based businesses including Severn Trent is supporting the Games through a series of volunteering programmes and a group of Severn Trent staff will be giving their time to help prepare the accreditations and Games packs for all competitors, volunteers, and supporters for the Games. The Club Company is hosting the golf events at The Warwickshire Golf and Country Club. Additional supporters this year also include Kidney Research UK and Extra Motorway Services, the headline sponsor for cycling events at the Games.
Neighbouring city and one of the UK’s busiest train stations, Birmingham New Street, is also supporting raising awareness of the Games through free advertising screens throughout the city’s major train station. Another new sponsor this year is Koptic Studios, a local company providing its drone services to film the Games. Koptic was founded by Luke Alexander, a graduate from Coventry University and British Transplant Games athlete, who is hoping to compete in this year’s Games along with filming the incredible events taking place over the weekend.
Les Ratcliffe MBE TD DL Chair of the British Transplant Games’ Stakeholder Board said: “We are blown away with the incredible generosity shown by our sponsors and the fantastic sporting venues in Coventry. We are grateful to each organisation and individual who has enabled these incredible Games to take place.
“Around 500,000 people die every year in the UK, but only around 1% die in circumstances where they can donate their organs which means every donor is incredibly important. These Games celebrate life and bring communities together whilst raising awareness and encouraging everyone to confirm their decision about organ donation on the NHS Organ Donor Register and to have those important conversations about their decisions with loved ones.
“There is no event like the British Transplant Games, and we can’t wait to welcome the Games, our supporters and our athletes to Coventry to say thank you and bring everyone together again.” Sponsors, along with volunteers, organisers and athletes play a vital role in the success of the Games and making them happen. For more information on the Westfield Health British Transplant Games 2023, visit: britishtransplantgames.co.uk/
