British Transplant Games medals for Warwick man

Simon Perkin after his win in the 1,500 metres event at the British Transplant Games.

Simon Perkin, 50, won a gold medal in the 1,500 metres and a silver in the 5k races while running for Team Anthony Nolan at the British Transplant Games in Newcastle at the weekend.

Mr Perkin was also aiming to raise awareness as part of his ongoing campaign to support the Anthony Nolan Trust which found a donor to help cure his blood cancer.

Mr Perkin said: “I can’t thank some very special people enough, including Warwick Hospital and the team at the Aylesford Unit who supported my recovery.

“Following my bone marrow transplant in July 2012 I was close to death and barely able to walk.

“I now hope to raise enough funds to make the World Transplant Games in 2017.”

Mr Perkin has raised thousands of pounds for Anthony Nolan, completing the London Marathon, The Warwick Half Marathon and the Regency 10K Run in the process.

He has also set up his own running club for all abilities at Warwick Boat Club.

Mr Perkin said: “The next events for me will be at the Leamington Park Run on Saturday and the Kenilworth Half Marathon in September.

“The true winners, however, are the very kind people who donate their blood, stem cells and organs abd save people like me.

“I’m truly thankful to them, they’re amazing.”

The British Transplant Games included more than 600 athletes of ages from three to over 70.

More than 10,000 people in the UK are waiting for transplant and three of them die every day because a match can not be found.