Staff and volunteers from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust were delighted to join thousands of transplant recipients, donors, supporters and donor families for the opening ceremony of the British Transplant Games.

The 2023 Games has more than 2,500 people taking part and is being held at venues across Coventry until Sunday.

UHCW Charity is among the sponsors and was fundraising at the opening ceremony, which was also attended by UHCW Chair Dame Stella Manzie, Non-Executive Director Janet Williamson, Chair of the UHCW Organ Donation Committee, and Consultant Nephrologist Simon Fletcher, who is Medical Director for the Games.

Janet said: “As a Trust we are excited and proud to be a supporter of the Games and to see it come to Coventry.

“We have heard some inspirational stories that show the difference the gift of organ donation can make.”

During the event, The Voice UK star Adam Isaac, who had a successful kidney transplant at University Hospital in 2022 through the COxNet (Coventry-Oxford Network for Transplantation) partnership, performed two songs.

COxNet is a joint research, training and clinical service programme that allows patients from both sites to be transplanted at the other when resources have not permitted surgery at their usual hospital.

The ceremony also saw a steel drum band playing in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral, before all participating teams followed a parade route through the city following a bright pink vintage Jaguar (the colour of organ donation), all the way to Broadgate.

BBC CWR breakfast presenter Phil Upton hosted proceedings while other entertainment included a performance from the Black Living Donor Choir, a poetry reading from the relative of a transplant recipient and the lighting of the Games flame.

As well as the sporting activities, the Donor Run supported by UHCW Charity is being held at War Memorial Park on Saturday 29th July where participants will take part in either a 2.5km or 5km race. Entries will be accepted on the day - £10, cash only. Registration opens at 5pm and racing starts at 6.30pm, please leave ample time to register.

More than 10,000 special edition Coventry and Warwickshire donor cards are being distributed during the Games with the aim of initiating 10,000 conversations about organ donation, ensuring that your loved ones, family members, and friends are aware of your decision and intentions regarding this selfless act of giving.

Across the UK there are around 7,000 people, including 200 children, currently waiting for an organ transplant but only around 1,400 people donate each year.

People can confirm their decision to be an organ donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or via the NHS App in England.