A Review of the Bath Games

  17th - 20th August 2006

Only the local team, Bristol Adults, had a larger team at the Games than the Freeman which is amazing really because we had half a dozen regulars who for one reason or another could not make it this time.

We had 19 competitors, 2 of whom, Jamie Woodhouse and Malcolm Pollitt were making their first appearance in the adult team, and 7 supporters.   All of the competitors having had either a heart transplant or a lung transplant at the Freeman hospital in Newcastle.  The age range of the team was from 18 - 74.    We also had a children's team competing at the games - see the message from Maria Chebrika, the new team manager for the Freeman Kids further down the page.

The majority of the team stayed in a city centre hotel as opposed to the campus package and the team spirit was fantastic, especially as we were in the same hotel as the Freeman kids and their families.   It was a really nice atmosphere and being in the city meant we could see the beautiful sights that Bath had to offer.

The Freeman team won 4 Gold  / 9 Silver / 6 Bronze medals.   
Another great effort by everyone who took part
and it compares well with 2005's tally of 3: 14: 7 when we had a team of 22.

If you have recently had a transplant at the Freeman and would like to be involved next time, get in touch and I will give you as much information as I can.    It would be good if we could have more of the adult category (18 - 29) in the team to keep us 'oldies' on our toes.

If you have any photographs you would like me to publish please email them in Jpeg format please.

Message from Maria Chebrika
Freeman Children's Team Manager

Hi Everyone! My name is Maria Chebrika and I am mum to Connor Shaw, aged 7 years old, who is 3 years post transplant and represents The Freeman Children’s team.

This is our third Transplant Games and the one which Connor said he has enjoyed the most! I think the fact that Sydney from Cbeebies and Pudsey Bear attended might have had something to do with it !!

This year, I was delighted to be appointed Team Manager with Janet Long, Mum of Rebecca (aged 12 yrs old) who has been to the Games many times and won a handful of medals over the years! Together, we organised the paperwork and the kids over the weekend – our team included Linzi Saunders aged 9 years old, Justin Maskell aged 9 years old, Joseph Lambert, aged 8 years old (all attending for the first time!), Gavin Greig aged 14 years old, Laura Finnegan aged 15 years old and of course, Connor and Rebecca.

Although we have a small team of only seven, each team member made every effort to win some medals, get involved and most importantly, have fun!! . The children particularly enjoyed the Transplant Glowbowling, where Linzi's dad, James Saunders won a 1st position medal for the parents! Wow! We also had a fantastic group of brothers and sisters with us who had a great time and supported their transplant siblings extremely well!

During all the excitement of rushing from event to event and being very proud of each and every one of the children, the best part for me personally was meeting new families and making new friends. It was lovely to see the children all getting along really well and strutting their stuff at the Gala Dinner, which was a highlight of the weekend, especially as Pudsey and Sydney were presenting medals and Trophies!  Our Freeman Children’s Transplant Team photograph with Pudsey and Sydney will be a very treasured possession for all the children who attended, and their mums and dads!

Special Thanks to the FHLTA who provided funding to enable us to attend this very special event and also a special mention to Donor Families North and Irene Haddlington (Justin's Grandma) who provided funding for the t-shirts and special trophies especially for our Team. Thank you from all of the children XX

We are all looking forward to sending the Freeman Children’s Team to take part in Transplant Sportshall on March 10^th/11^th in my home town of Manchester! If you would like to come along and join in the fun, just get in touch.

Maria XX

MARIA CHEBRIKA – TEAM MANAGER

FREEMAN CHILDRENS TRANSPLANT TEAM

169 DARLEY AVENUE

CHORLTON

MANCHESTER

M21 7JG

0161 881 7524

07887 932 219

mchebrika@ntlworld.com

All competitors must be a current member of the Transplant Sports Association of Great Britain (TSAGB).   If in doubt contact your Team Manager or Joyce Gill:  joyce-and-ian@supanet.com

6 Year membership costs £25
3 Year membership costs £15

Each competitor may enter 5 individual events, with a maximum of 3 from any one discipline with the exception of the relays.   A signed and completed medical certificate must be provided.   Unfortunately, anyone receiving dialysis treatment is not allowed to enter.

The first Games were the brainchild of Maurice Slapak, who at the time was a consultant transplant surgeon.   They were staged in Portsmouth in 1978 and attracted 100 competitors.   This years event is expected to attract over 500 competitors and as many (at least) supporters.

15 cities have hosted the British Transplant Games since their inception; Portsmouth, Newcastle, Leicester, Leeds, Norwich, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Exeter, Liverpool, Sheffield,   Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast.

The 11th European Heart & Lung Transplant Games were
in Naples, Italy from June 21st - 26th 2006

The 2007 British Transplant Games
Edinburgh, 26th - 29th July.

Send mail to graham@fhlta.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2004 Freeman Heart & Lung Transplant Association
Last modified: 10-06-2008