Transplant Games 2025

Oxford was the host city in 2025 and the Opening Ceremony and Donor Run were held in the grounds of Blenheim Palace.

This year, there were 18 transplant athletes and 5 live donors within our team. Lack of home advantage and more complex logistics this year were the reasons for a smaller team, but what we lacked in numbers, we more than made up for in team spirit!

Across 4 days, our athletes competed in archery, table tennis, golf, obstacle race, 10-pin bowling, tennis, swimming, badminton and athletics. In addition there were social events including athletic skills and 5-aside football. There were some outstanding performances - a resounding win at golf to claim a gold medal before going off to represent the UK at the World Transplant Games in Dresden from one, a younger member of the team being scouted for her badminton skills by the UK team and a quiet teenager who ran a 100 m PB of 12.12 seconds to claim a gold medal but modestly told us the wind speed was illegal. Overall, we won 22 medals: 6 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze but the personal achievements are what really count.

Thursday evening saw us parade in the grounds of Blenheim palace and two of our long-standing athletes passed on the flag at the Opening Ceremony before the flame was lit for the official start. We had our own team social events on Friday evening - Blenheim Palace Adventure Playground for the younger ones and a watersports experience followed by Italian meal for the teenagers. It's a shame there weren't medals for falling in from paddleboarding as some of the staff and volunteers would have been on the podium!

On Saturday evening we took part in the Donor Run, crossing the finish line coming up to Blenheim Palace in the setting sun of a beautiful evening. After all was done on Sunday, we had our own team party back at our lovely Cotswold Water Park Hotel, where all the athletes received their team medals and certificates. Four of our team competed for the Kinder Crew for the last time before they return next year to compete for Nottingham Adults. There were few dry eyes in the room as they all gave speeches to tell us what a difference taking part in Transplant Games has made to them over the years!

Grateful thanks to NUH charity for their support again this year.

Here are a selection of some of our photos.