A TALENTED Kidderminster swimmer has come away from the World Transplant Games with five medals.

Paul Meikle was one of 200 transplant athletes competing for Team Great Britain and NI at the Malaga games last week – the country’s largest ever contingent.

The King Charles I School pupil, who underwent a liver transplant 14 years ago, picked up a number of medals including gold in the 200m freestyle swimming.

Paul, who trains at Wyre Forest Swimming Club, said: “I was delighted to be selected to represent Team Great Britain & Northern Ireland in five swimming events this year’s World Transplant Games.”

The games take place every two years, and are supported by the International Olympic Committee. It represents the largest organ donor awareness event in the world, featuring a week of 17 sporting events involving more than 1,000 transplant athletes from 60 countries across the globe.

Lynne Holt, British team manager, said: “We exceeded the 127 gold medals won at the World Transplant Games in 2015 and thrilled to win the overall Trophy for the best team.

“These athletes certainly deserve the same recognition as the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games, in spite of constant training, fitting in work, school, exams, publicity and hospital clinic appointments, these athletes receive no government support, and have had to raise the £1,500 cost of attending themselves.

“Sadly, many could not accept their place on the team, because of the heavy financial burden. The team are supported by management, coaches, captains and a medical/physio team, all who are volunteers and are also self-financing.

“However, their motivation to be ‘Fit for Life’, the opportunity to represent their country, celebrate life and in doing so, paying tribute to their donors who gave them life, is the goal. The experience was rewarding for the athletes, the supporters and the management team.

Lynne added: “Not only are these athletes ambassadors for our country, but they are also representing the charity, Transplant Sport, and hope to raise awareness here in the UK and globally, of the need for more people to sign on to the Organ Donor Register and discuss their wishes with their family and friends.”

Paul is hoping the medals he racked up in Malaga will be added to later this month when he attends the British Transplant Games in Lanarkshire.

He has represented Birmingham Children’s Hospital at the British games for the last eight years following his liver transplant.