Mark Brown has returned from the Winter World Transplant Games (WWTG) in Bormio Italy as part of the table topping Great Britain and Northern Ireland team.
With a total medal tally of 29 for transplant recipients and 18 medals for donors and donor families, they returned home wondering if they’ll have to pay excess baggage!
Mark, who lives in Grange Avenue in Ruddington, spent the week competing in the alpine events, snowshoeing and curling with the help of funding from Howdens Nottingham Central where he works as a kitchen designer.
He’s now looking forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary of his kidney transplant at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds in April this year.
Mark said: “The quickest race was the parallel slalom with the fastest competitor completing the course in just 17.65 seconds. I, however, took a little longer to get on the winners’ podium.
“Starting on the Monday and finishing on the Friday, I competed in the curling competition, hoping to add to my tally of five gold and one silver in previous games. The tense games were well supported both at the rink and at home, as it was streamed live on Facebook.
“A close semi-final against a USA team that play regularly together saw us reach a final against the Swiss. After falling behind in the first end, team GB&NI won the next three ends to take the gold. Taking just over 4 hours in total it was well earned!
“I also took part in the alpine events – downhill between gates in the parallel slalom, slalom, giant slalom and super giant slalom. Whilst there wasn’t a realistic chance of beating teams that have regular access to the slopes, it was still exhilarating to compete and complete the races.
“These were streamed live on Instagram and my brother James, (who had a successful kidney transplant 20 years ago at Jimmys), messaged in whilst watching. This was picked up by the people streaming the event who then interviewed me at the finish line.
“The final event I competed in was the 2k snowshoe. This was a new event for me and probably the first and last time I’ll do it! A number of fellow athletes sprinted off from the start so I went with them until the first uphill!
“I then kept to a brisk walk and saved a final sprint to finish in 5th position – cheered over the line by my wife Jo, who was here all week waving flags, ringing cowbells, and encouraging and congratulating me throughout.”
Organ donation – find out more
There are currently almost 10,000 people in need of a lifesaving organ transplant in the UK and over 7,000 of these are on the active waiting list.
It’s quick and easy to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk to find out more.
Mark Brown