HUNDREDS of athletes will head to North Lanarkshire next year for the Westfield Health British Transplant Games.

The event which was launched in Kilsyth is expected to attract more than 750 transplant athletes and more than 1500 supporters to the event in July.

The aim is to raise awareness of organ donation and encourage people to sign up to the NHS organ donor register.

Held over four days, the Games include more than 20 sports ranging from fishing to track and field.

Games North Lanarkshire chairman Jim McCabe said: “It is a magnificent honour for our country to host the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in 2017.

“Following on from the success of the 2011 International Children’s Games and more recently, as host and training venue of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, supporting the Transplant Games is a hugely worthwhile commitment and one that North Lanarkshire is proud to make.

“These Games are not solely about sport but have a human side too. They demonstrated the courage and personal endeavour of those who take part and the appreciation of the unimaginable pain and courage of the donor families.

“We delivered the best ever International Children’s Games and we will deliver the best Westfield Health British Transplant Games.”

An array of local campaigns will be run during the event to educate and raise awareness of the organ donor register.

Andy Eddy, chairman of Transplant Sport, said: “We are delighted to be taking the WHBTG back to Scotland for the fourth time and we really hope our message of having the donation conversation will ensure more families give consent to the donation of their loved ones’ organs.”

Graham Moore, chairman of not for profit health insurance provider Westfield Health, said the company had been involved with the Games for many years.

He added: “Communicating the value of transplantation and the need to get more names on the organ donor register is vital and we are very proud to play our part in sharing this message across North Lanarkshire and beyond.”

AT the age of 59, Richard Adams developed a Leukemia-like disease and over the next year became more and more ill.

He had to give up running, swimming and even walking his dog as he kept damaging muscles.

Richard also had to give up work and eventually needed transfusions of two units of blood a week.

In October 2010, he had a bone marrow transplant in the Beatson in Glasgow thanks to an unknown donor.

Richard said: “Over the next few weeks my blood levels stabilised at near normal and they found all traces of my own marrow/blood/immune system were gone and I had a healthy system instead.

“Steadily over the next two years I got my life back. I got back to work six months after transplant and started using an exercise bike.

“Infections in my head meant I lost hearing in one ear, my sense of balance and a lot of sight in one eye.

“But I can still swim. Transplant Sport gave me an opportunity to feel I could compete again and I have now taken part in three British Transplant Games.

“I also competed in the last World Games in Argentina and came back with three medals - one of each colour.

“It wouldn’t have happened without an outstanding team at the Beatson, a kind donor, the support of my family who were emotional rocks for me and a brilliant organisation called Transplant Sport.”