Milton Keynes man who suffered chronic kidney failure bids to compete at World Transplant Games

Michael Halward is aiming to compete in archery and four other sports at next year’s Games, which are due to be staged at Dresden in Germany.

Michael was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure in 2016, and had to undergo dialysis.

In January 2017 a match was found on the donor register with Michael undergoing an operation at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford to have a kidney transplant.

Michael received what is called “a sleepy kidney”, rather than a live kidney from a living donor.

After hearing about the Transplant Games, a multi-sport event for transplant recipients, Michael joined the Oxford team in 2017 with a view to participating.

He took part in the 2017 British Transplant Games, held in North Lanarkshire in Scotland, winning bronze medals in both archery and javelin disciplines.

Michael has since participated at six British Transplant Games, including the last European Transplant Games, held in Oxford in 2022.

The World Transplant Games are entirely self-funded, and Michael has launched a GoFundMe page in a bid to be able to participate.

“Currently the Transplant Games receive no central funding,” Michael writes, so “I need your support to make this a reality.

“The costs associated with participation, kit, coaching, along with travel to the Games are significant, and I am reaching out to my community for help.

“Your generous contributions will not only help me compete but also raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and the life-changing impact it can have.”

Michael is aiming to raise £3,500 in his bid to compete in Dresden, and so far has received £1,060 in donations to the page at the time of writing.