Donna Goes for Gold!
We love hearing about what members of our team have been up to and Donna’s recent win has given us all a reason to celebrate! Donna competed in Archery at the British Transport Games in Oxford from 31st July to 3rd August winning not only Gold in her age group but also being the highest scoring female across all age groups!
Donna was introduced to the British Transplant Games back in 2008, taking on the role as official timekeeper. During the 2012 games she helped out at the archery, and after watching the transplantees shoot, she decided she wanted to give it a go. Donna won her first gold medal in 2014 at the games in Bolton and has competed every year since (with the exception of cancellations around Covid and 2023 when she received her second transplant). Donna said:
“Last year I was still working on gaining some form of fitness after my second liver transplant, and I’ve been working on getting stronger and fitter ever since. As well as shooting my bow which I try to do at least 3 times a week, I also enjoy pilates and a number of aerobic dance classes, as well as the occasional trip to the gym and walking the dog.”
The British Transplant Games aim to raise awareness of the need for organ donation, encouraging transplant recipients to lead active lifestyles and to thank and remember donors and their families. Currently 7,960 people are waiting for a transplant in the UK. 1,277 people have received a transplant since April 2025.
Across the games, 2,011 competitive medals were awarded with 1,900 at the Donor Run. 978 transplant recipients took part competing at 26 sporting events, with 1,417 registered supporters watching the games. The archery, Opening Ceremony and Donor Run alongside other sports were held in the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace. The athletics and table tennis were held in Abingdon, snooker and golf in Thame and cycling events at RAF Weston on the Green. Many more events were held throughout the event at different locations.
Continuing the good news, Donna has been selected to shoot for Transplant Team GB at the World Transplant Games which take place from the 17th August – 24th August in Dresden, Germany.
“I was overjoyed to be selected to shoot for Transplant Team GB at the World Transplant Games which take place in the next few weeks in Dresden, Germany. I’ll be shooting as an individual, and also in a team – two different shoots but the same distance of 30 metres. I’m so excited. I’m currently the European Female Transplant Champion in archery, and won two bronze medals in the last World’s that included archery, back in 2019.”
A massive well done from everyone at Citizens Advice in West Sussex, Donna and good luck in the World Transplant Games!