Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In September I am running my first (and likely last!) Marathon in Sydney, I am doing this as a huge personal challenge but also to raise money for a cause close to my heart.

Transplant Australia work to raise awareness and increase organ and tissue donation as well as support recipients, living donors and donor families. My hero & idol Uncle David spent many years on dialysis and received 2 life saving kidney transplants. Someone's decision to give the gift of life after their death and family supporting those wishes meant I got an amazing twelve years with him and he could live life to the full. This included competing in the UK Transplant games and taking gold medals in Kayaking events.

Since living in Sydney I have volunteered with Transplant Australia including at the Australian Transplant games last year. I have met some truly inspirational people and it has confirmed by belief that Organ and Tissue transplants can save and change lives but awareness, community and open discussion with family and friends is essential in it's success. I have decided to raise money for TA due to the amazing people I have met that have been supported by this charity - below I have put some stats covering the UK and Oz. Discover. Decide. Discuss

• One organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of 10 or more people. 
• In 2015/16 in the UK, 1,364 people became organ donors when they died and their donations resulted in 3,519 transplants taking place
• Around 1,400 people are on the Australian organ transplant waiting lists and 6,500 in the UK at any time
• In the UK the donation consent rate has increased to 62%
• Of the (ONLY) 36% of Australians that feel confident they know the donation decisions of their loved ones, 93% would uphold these decisions
• In the UK family refusal is biggest obstacle to donation says NHS Blood and Transplant - meaning the most important thing is to discuss your decision with loved ones

To join the Australian Organ Donor register visit - https://register.donatelife.gov.au/decide

To join the UK Organ Donor register visit -  www.organdonation.nhs.uk or contact our 24 hour a day donor line - 0300 123 23 23.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.