HI EVERYONE,

I have just returned from the World Transplant Games in South Africa with two bronze medals in the 60-69 age group cycle time trial and road race, which is fantastic news.

Thank you from the depths of my heart to all who contributed funds or good wishes to help get me there and see me on my way. I couldn't have done it without you.

Thanks again,

Bob Jolliffe (5th August, 2013)

HAMPSHIRE kidney transplant recipient and racing cyclist Bob Jolliffe needs your help to raise at least £2,600 to send him to the World Transplant Games in South Africa next July.

Bob, along with many of his family members, suffers from Polycystic Kidney Disease.  His grandfather died a very protracted death in the 1960s while his father, also a racing cyclist, underwent an unsuccessful transplant and then was a guinea pig for CAPD home dialysis in the early 1980s. Unfortunately he died after contracting septicaemia in 1984.

Bob, his younger brother and sister, however, have all been fortunate and benefitted from transplants.  Bob received a life-saving transplant at Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital three years ago. After spending two “debilitating and very restrictive” years on dialysis, says that now, “thanks to my donor and his family, to whom I owe an immense debt of gratitude, I feel better than I have done for many years”.

A keen cyclist since his teens, Bob, who is now 60, is competing in the World Games in order to promote the life-changing and life-saving benefits that come to desperately ill people through the gift of organ donation.

Bob is a clear example of the fact that ‘transplants transform lives’ and hopes his and his team mates’ activity will encourage people to sign up as potential donors and save lives.

Bob’s trip to the World Games is estimated to cost £2,600.  This will have to be entirely self-funded and like many others, the unwaged former journalist, is finding times tough so needs your help.

Please dig deep and help Bob raise this money to send him on a once in a life time trip and promote one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine: organ transplants.

If he beats his target, any excess will go to help fund team-mates and medics who will also travel with the team.

More information about the benefits of organ donation is available from www.organdonation.nhs.uk, telephoning 0300 123 23 23 or texting SAVE to 84118