Over a hundred people will compete at the MFA Bowl in Ilkeston on 2 August 2024 as part of the British Transplant Games - aiming to raise awareness of organ donation, and encourage transplant patients to keep fit and active.
The competitors will take to the bowling lanes in two sittings, a "morning squad" at 10:30am with an expected seventy-nine bowlers, and an "afternoon squad" at 1pm with an expected eighty bowlers. Spectators are welcome to come and watch the games free-of-charge.
There will be events across the region - though most of the games are in Nottingham - with other sports including Archery, Cycling, Tennis, Swimming, and many more.
When the bowling has finished the bronze, silver, and gold medals will be awarded according to the different age groups that are competing - using the average highest score across numerous games.
"We're seeing people celebrate what life looks like"
- Charlotte Hannibal, Athlete
One of the competitors in Ilkeston is Charlotte Hannibal, from Codnor, who says it's amazing to see people with so many different journeys be successful at the British Transplant Games.
She continued: "It's fantastic. We're seeing people celebrate what life looks like after they've been able to have an organ transplant. I did Archery [on the 1st of August] and I'm walking away with a bronze medal... which is just amazing."
"We're buzzing for the ten pin bowling. I can't say I'm going to be the expert on the team... but hopefully somebody's going to pull it out the bag. I'll be doing my best."
The British Transplant Games have been going on for over forty years, and the four-day event will continue until Sunday 04 August 2024, with thousands of athletes expected to take part.
"When these games started in 1978, organ transplants were science fiction"
- John Timms, Events Director
Since 2007 the games have been delivered since Westfield Health, and their Events Director, John Timms, has a strong reason to be passionate - as his Father-in-law has donated organs in the past.
He said: "All these people competing wouldn't be here without a life-saving organ transplant. So for them, it's a major way of recognising the benefits of transplantation to thank the donor families."
"Those people have made the hardest decision possible to donate a loved one's organs, and they're acknowledged throughout the games."
"If nothing else, talk to your family about your wishes. If you want to donate organs, sign onto the organ donor register. Talk to your family about your wishes if you're able to do it, because it can potentially save someone's life in the future."
You can find a timetable of the events that are happening from 1 August to 4 August by clicking here.
Update - Bowling Results
The medals were awarded by age group and gender.
- Division A - Juniors 15-17
- Gold - Sophie Wilson (186)
- Silver - Ella Bond (181)
- Bronze - Felix Royds Jones (173)
- Gold - Harry Bawden (198)
- Silver - Tyrese Collett (193)
- Bronze - Billy Rhodes (174)
- Division B - Adults 18-29
- Gold - Charlotte Fletcher (178)
- Silver - Lilli Helps (172)
- Bronze - Charlotte Douglas (162)
- Gold - Alfie Morley (343)
- Silver - Lewis Brimble (281)
- Bronze - William Budd (260)
- Division C - Senior 30-39
- Gold - Karen Mills (256)
- Silver - Georgina Haynes (204)
- Bronze - Emma Hilton-Jones (185)
- Gold - Brett Beeley (445)
- Silver - Wayne Hartley (354)
- Bronze - Jonathan Gray (289)
- Division D - S. Seniors 40-49
- Gold - Shelley Reynolds (259)
- Silver - Hetal Mistry (208)
- Bronze - Paula Evetts (196)
- Gold - Simon Elmore (384)
- Silver - Samuel Newton (310)
- Bronze - Mark Hughes (257)
- Division E - Veterans 50-59
- Gold - Helen Giffin (220)
- Silver - Tove Salkvist (207)
- Bronze - Val Paterson (203)
- Gold - Jimmy Kasapis (275)
- Silver - Craig Morrow (246)
- Bronze - Stephen Nicholls (235)
- Division F - S. Veterans 60-69
- Gold - Karen Barrett (247)
- Silver - Elaine Zanjani (211)
- Gold - Terry Sylvester (278)
- Silver - Jim Kilpatrick (256)
- Bronze - James Leckey (251)
- Division G - S. Veterans 70+
- Gold - Arthur Taylor (231)
- Silver - Kamayah Appadoo (221)
- Bronze - Michael Halward (208)
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