Quiz to boost transplant athlete

James Kirby, 13, has just returned from the world transplant games in Bangkok.

A enthusiastic Hailsham table tennis club member, James received two gold medals for his playing skills.

The Eastbourne Cavendish School student also received a silver for tennis and a bronze for ball throwing.

Father, Rupert Kirby said: 'He is a very brave lad, and his mother Lisa and I are very proud of him.

'He was born with a kidney defect and Lisa donated a kidney when he was seven.

'He doesn't let the condition stop him from doing the things he wants to do.'

Mr Kirby said James was in a wheelchair at one time but within a few days of the transplant he was up-and-about, eating properly.

He added: 'The transplant had an amazing effect on his quality of life.'

Nigel Coltman, chairman of Hailsham Conservatives, suffers from MS and goes swimming to keep fit.

He said: 'It's amazing what James does.

'We got to know about James through former Hailsham mayor Jo Bentley and we felt it would be good for us to support him.

'We want to show that we are not just about politics but helping people.'

The quiz evening will be run by Roger Thomas, a county councillor, and includes a light ploughmans lunch.

All profits from tickets, costing 7.50, will help transplant patients such as James live a fuller life by raising funds for Evelina Childrens Hospital, connected to Guys and St Thomas hospitals.

The evening starts at 7pm at the Charles Hunt Centre, Hailsham, on September 28.

*A third of the 7,000 patients needing a transplant in the UK die from a lack of donors every year.

If you would like to help someone live after your death, phone NHS Organ donor line number 0845 6060400.

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