Transplant Games

This year the Transplant Games will be held in Sheffield between Thursday 6 August and Sunday 9 August.

The overall event

The Games takes place over 4 full days – from Thursday to Sunday.  Over these days, competitors can take place in a wide range of events including track & field, swimming, racquet sports and many others. There are also some social events too – football is the most popular.

Each competitor can select up to 4 competitive events.  The events are categorised in age bands and start from as young as 4 years old for some events.  The social sports, like football, don’t count amongst the 4 choices.  

Here is the schedule for the 4 days. 

What about accompanying family?

There are some events that everyone can take part it, such as the Donor Run (a 3 or 5 k fun run for competitors, their supporters and accompanying staff).  There are other things for siblings to join in, such as a children’s social event on Friday evening.    There are also special events for live donors to take part in.  We haven’t taken part in these events before but we would love to this year!

Where does it take place?

The main venues this year are: 

• City centre and Sheffield City Hall - Opening Ceremony and Donor Run
• Ponds Forge International Sports Centre - swimming, badminton and under 5's events
• English Institute of Sport (EIS) - track & field athletics, table tennis, athletic skills, long jump, ball throw, sports stacking
• Canon Medical Arena - obstacle race, basketball, netball, volleyball

Most of these venues, including our accommodation, are on the main tram route so using the tram will be the easiest way to get around. 

Where will we stay?

We are booked into the Sheffield Central Travelodge (1 Broad Street West, Sheffield, S1 2BQ). 

How much will it cost?

In previous years, the event was wholly supported by the Kinder Appeal (NUH Charity) and Kidney Care UK using fundraising that many of you did.  We estimate it costs an average of around £1,000 per child competitor and we would encourage each family to try to raise at least something towards it through your own fundraising. 

To make the event sustainable year on year, we have suggested a voluntary contribution for each child and young person.

• For young people of 13 and above, we suggest a voluntary contribution of £50 but we are unable to support any parents or families.
• For children of 12 and under, we suggest a voluntary contribution of £50 towards the cost of your child and one parent but above that we will support. 
• If you wish to bring a second parent and other children, please can we ask for a voluntary contribution of £25 per person per night.  For example, if a second parent and sibling are coming and staying for 4 nights, that would be a total contribution of £250 for the whole family.   
• If there are extended family registered for the Games, the Donor Run and the Gala Dinner, the cost is £60 per person.  As we don't have funding to support extended family, we would be grateful if you can cover the whole of those costs.

Please speak to us if these costs are difficult.

We now have a JustGiving page specifically to support the Kinder Crew team.  Please direct all your donations and fundraising through this page.  This helps us see how much money we have raised as a team when we apply to the hospital charity for a grant next year.  If you are planning a fund-raising event, please let us know. 

What about young people?

For young people from 13 to 17, we offer the opportunity for them to come unaccompanied by an adult and be part of a group supported by NUH staff and volunteers.  Like previous years, we would plan to have one evening event for all young people 13 and upwards, whether they come by themselves or with parents.

What about children with special needs?

There is often a wide-range of abilities taking part.  It’s not unusual to see a running race with able-bodied children competing alongside children with mobility aids.  One parent from a previous year said this was the only event they had ever been to where the last child to cross the finish line gets a bigger cheer than the first.  We would need a parent to accompany a child with special needs, even if they are aged 13 or above, and we would cover the costs of a parent/carer in this situation.

Social events

Friday evening children's social.  This is for children of 12 and younger and will be held at Magna Science Adventure Park.  Information about it is here.  It is a separate booking system this year so you will need to book this yourself.  It costs £10 per adult but children go free.  There is the option to book food in the cafe as well. 

Teenagers' Friday evening social.  More information soon. 

Pizza Party.  We will have a team party for team medals and pizza following the Donor Run on Saturday evening.  It will be held at Channing Hall (Norfolk Street S1 2JD) and is just a few minutes' walk from where we finish the Donor Run, and then an 11 minute walk from the Travelodge.  We will aim to start around 8pm as the Donor Run is back to the usual 6.30pm start this year. 

Gala dinner.  The whole Games final celebration event is being held at the Cambridge Street Collective (S1 4HP) where we will join with other children's and adult teams to celebrate the Games.  It promises to be a fun evening.  We will plan to book everyone in for this but please tell us if you don't plan to attend. It features 20+ independent food vendors and you'll be given a voucher to spend on your choice of dinner. 

What about kit?

All of the kit for competitors will be provided.

We have options for parents or siblings to purchase the same kit.  Prices are as below: 

If you would like to buy an extras as above, please can you make payments using the JustGiving link as above then email a screenshot of your donation to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The deadline is Friday 26 June. 

Anything else?

For any other queries, please email Martin on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The Transplant Sport website will also tell you more (www.transplantsport.org.uk)

The website for this year’s Games is www.britishtransplantgames.co.uk.