Over 1,600 people poured into Rodney Parade for a very special event as the opening ceremony of the Westfield Health British Transplant Games took place on Thursday evening.
Running for over 40 years, the British Transplant Games are a celebration of life. They take place in different host cities every summer, with teams from hospitals across the UK competing in a medley of sports.
The 42nd edition of the event is taking place in Newport this weekend - the first time that any Welsh city outside of Cardiff has hosted the Games since it was established in 1978 - and will attract around 1,000 transplant athletes and more than 1,500 supporters.
The opening night of the games took place at Rodney Parade – the home of the Dragons - as over 60 sporting teams – included Team Wales – were at the stadium.
Welsh tenor Wynne Evans performed on stage and among the local dignitaries to attend was Julie Morgan AM, leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Debbie Wilcox and the Mayor of Newport, Councillor William Routley.
The Westfield Health British Transplant Games is truly an inclusive four-day event. Transplant survivors including children as young as five can compete in more than 25 sports and many athletes go on to compete at the World Transplant Games.
The Games are organised on behalf of Transplant Sport whose aim is to raise awareness of the need for organ donation, encourage transplant recipients to lead active lifestyles and show appreciating for, and remember, donors and their families.
The British Transplant Games also help to increase the awareness of Anthony Nolan and their need for blood stem cells and bone marrow donation. The games are open to any individual who has undergone transplant surgery.
The British Transplant Games will be making use of some of the outstanding facilities across the city including the Newport International Sports Village, home to the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales, Celtic Manor Resort and Rodney Parade.
For more information the British Transplant Games and to see the schedule of events click HERE
The 42nd edition of the event is taking place in Newport this weekend... and will attract around 1,000 athletes and more than 1,500 supporters...
