100 days and 100 ways to make a difference to those in the transplant community, Tuesday 19 April marks the start of the 100 day countdown to the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Leeds, 28-31 July 2022.

The Leeds Children’s Transplant Team, based at Leeds Children’s Hospital, have launched a fundraising challenge, asking participants to raise funds by doing 100 things in the 100 days before the games.

Activities can be anything with a focus on health and wellness e.g. participants have already signed up to cycle 100 miles, complete 100 laps of their local park on roller skates,  and even have 100 conversations about transplantation… it really can be anything!

The Leeds Children’s Transplant Team is an inspiring group of more than 40 children and young people, aged between 2 and 18, who have been the recipients of organ and bone marrow transplantation. After years of illness and overcoming hurdles in life, members of the team will be representing Leeds during four days of competitive sporting events, including track and field, swimming, cycling and all in celebration of their gift of life and their donors.

Fundraising led by Leeds Hospitals Charity is required to get the team and their families to the games with kit, registration fees, accommodation and transport. As a very specialist transplant centre - one of only three pediatric liver transplant centres in the UK - Leeds Children’s Hospital has patients from all over the country.    

Matthew Hick is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Leeds Children’s Hospital and long-standing Leeds Children’s Transplant Team volunteer, supporting children and young people to take part in The Games. Along with colleagues (Megan Rees, Richard Carless and Robyn Waterhouse) Matthew is kick-starting the ‘100 days challenge’ by cycling 100 miles around Leeds before and after work, calling in at British Transplant Games venues, including; Bodington playing fields, John Charles Centre, The Edge, Millennium Square and Leeds Golf Course.

Matthew said:

“The determination and fearless approach demonstrated by so many of these children is inspiring for everyone around them. As a Nurse Specialist I have been privileged to witness this inspiring behaviour and I feel passionately that these children and their families deserve a British Transplant Games they will always remember.

“The Leeds Children’s Transplant Team relies on donations to make it to The Games and we’re hoping that by launching ‘The 100 days challenge’ we can help celebrate the amazing achievements of these children who live life to the full and ensure they have an amazing experience at  The Games.”

Leeds Hospitals Charity supports the Leeds Children’s Transplant Team to get to The Games every year by helping to fund transport, accommodation, registration fees and kit.

Esther Wakeman - Chief Executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity said:

“This is such a wonderful fundraising initiative to mark 100 days until the British Transplant Games comes to Leeds. It’s great to see so many patients, NHS staff and transplant families coming together to help raise funds and awareness. Leeds Hospitals Charity is incredibly proud to support ‘Team Leeds’ at the Games each year, and we’re so excited to be the host city this Summer.

“The British Transplant Games is a fantastic opportunity for families to focus on a positive future and connect with peers to share experiences. We hope that money raised through the 100 days challenge will help us make the 2022 Games bigger and better than ever!”

Find out more and get involved in the 100 days challenge here