A Newcastle Hospitals staff member working at the Freeman has hailed the support of Newcastle Hospitals Charity after winning four medals at the 2023 World Transplant Games in Australia.
Wayne Hartley, a pre-registration clinical scientist in imaging, physics and radiation safety, achieved a gold, two silvers and a bronze in Perth this year.
In an interview with Newcastle Hospitals Charity, he says the charity “jump started” his fundraising to help him travel to the other side of the world to take part in the games in Perth, adding that he wouldn’t have got there without the charity’s support.
Wayne, who is also a kidney recipient, has also paid tribute to his family, friends and the North East as a whole for the support has has received.
His success is being featured on Newcastle Hospitals Charity online this week, which is Organ Donation Week (18 – 24 September 2023).
According to NHS Blood and Transplant’s website, more than 7,000 people require a life-saving transplant now, but there are only around a fifth of that figure as organ donors per year.
The games promote the power of organ donation, allowing transplant athletes to compete at the highest level.
Wayne hopes his success inspires others to consider participating in a future World Transplant Games.
He said: “It’s just such an experience. It shows really what transplant patients can do.
“It inspired me to get fitter, to be better at my sports and to all round be a better person. It also helped me to be kinder to myself so I think it’s been pretty good for my mental health, as well as my phyiscal health.
“I’d recommend anybody to do the same. Just give it a go and see what you think.”
You can watch Wayne’s interview on our YouTube channel here.
