Spotlight on athletes with transplants

Derek Johnson, aged 70, from Hackenthorpe, who received a new liver, Peter Murray, 15, from Walkley, and Andrew Robins, 27, from Stocksbridge, who both had kidney transplants will be competing in event in Thailand.

It will be the fifth time Derek has competed in a World Transplant Games and he is hoping to add to his haul of 60 medals - including 30 gold medals won in both world and UK events.

The retired civil servant was only a month from death when he given a life-saving liver transplant 10 years ago.

And since that momentous date - August 6 1997 which he considers his second birthday - Derek has rediscovered sport and lived life to the full.

"The Games have played an important role in helping me live a full and active life, following my successful transplant," said the dad of two and grandfather.

"This event is a vital part of the rehabilitation process and gives all competitors a focus, as well as being a place to celebrate the gift of life and an opportunity to thank our donors and their families. The whole team is looking forward to the buzz and excitement in Bangkok, where we will try to bring back a host of gold medals

"We are all so grateful to the donors and for their families for giving us a second chance of life."

Derek took part in the 30th British Transplant Games held in Edinburgh in July and won gold medals in squash, long jump and 100m and silver in the 200m track.

Teenager Peter Murray had a kidney transplant at the tender age of three, which transformed his life.

As a tiny child he was on dialysis six nights out of seven and couldn't mix with other youngsters because of the risk of infection.