Gold Medal Winner Supported By Charity

A Derbyshire transplant patient captured gold medals and broke a world record at the 2023 World Transplant Games.

Leslie Land,72, from Crich, had a kidney transplant in 2017, after being diagnosed with chronic kidney failure.

After support from the Renal team at Royal Derby Hospital, Leslie was encouraged to take part in the Transplant Games and went on to win a gold medal in Perth, Australia, in April where he was among over 2,500 transplant recipients, live donors, donor families and supporters at the flagship event for transplant sport.

The University Hospitals of Derby & Burton Trust entrants have had their travel, kit and training part-funded by Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity.

Leslie said he was “over the moon” to win a gold medal in the 5000-metre walk and silver in the discuss at the games in Perth, Australia. He also broke the world record for the 5000-metre walk in his age category.

Leslie is now gearing up for the British Transplant Games, starting today, and hopes to bring back more gold medals.

Rani Uppal, Service Manager – Renal, Diabetes & Endocrinology at Royal Derby Hospital, said: “We are so incredibly proud of each of our patients that join in the games. They are a true inspiration.”

Les hopes to bring back even more medals at the games next week, “It’s important to give yourself a goal,” he said, ” The games gave me something to aim for and without them I would have probably spent most of my time in front of the TV.

The good thing about the transplant games is that there is an activity that is suitable for anyone to take part in.

I owe such a tremendous lot to my donor and his family. the medical staff that took care of me.”