A SPREYTON woman is one of three local transplant athletes to have returned with medals from the 2009 British Transplant Games in Coventry this month.
Wendy Sincock (50), who had a kidney transplant 10 years ago, received three gold medals, in backstroke swimming, discus and canoeing and two silver medals, also in swimming, at freestyle 50 metres and 100 metres.
She, like the other local athletes, Michael Brewer (51) from Newton Abbot and Brian Smith (54), from Torquay, have now been selected to compete as part of the UK team in the World Transplant Games.
Michael Brewer attained three silver medals in badminton, canoeing and swimming breastroke 50 metres and Brian Smith a gold in ten pin bowling.
Both have also had kidney transplants.
They were among the 900 transplant athletes aged from two to 82 who celebrated the "Gift of Life" at the 2009 British Transplant Games.
Others who took part from the Exeter Transplant team were Gerry Morris, Alan Davies and Steve Barker.
In total, some 1,500 visitors flocked to the City of Coventry to give their support to the transplant athletes and encourage people from across the UK to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
The World Transplant Games, supported by the International Olympic Committee, is the largest organ donor awareness event in the world, featuring a nine day series of sporting events. Team UK's 120 athletes will join over 1000 others from some 55 countries across the globe, all of whom have undergone an organ transplant.
Last year some 2,800 lives in the UK were saved or dramatically improved thanks to the generosity and courage of donors and their families. However, across the UK whilst the number of people waiting for a transplant is on the rise, the number of potential donors is falling.
The British and World Transplant Games is organised by Transplant Sport UK. Through organising sports and social events for transplant recipients, Transplant Sport UK shows the benefits of organ donation and proves that people can lead a normal and active life again after transplantation.
Last month, Wendy, joined by her husband, John, paid a visit to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen.
Wendy was nominated after her mother, Barbara Bridgewater, wrote to Buckingham Palace.
Wendy said the experience was "one in a million".
She said: "I had no idea that my mum had written to the palace until they wrote back.
"I think mum felt that because of what I have achieved, I deserved to have the opportunity to meet the Queen.
"I couldn't believe it and it was an absolutely marvellous experience."
Wendy added that the weather, while she and her husband were at Buckingham Palace, was "the worst she had ever experienced".
She explained: "There was thunder and lightning and everyone was absolutely soaking.
"I was standing under the tea tent when one of the yeoman came over to me and asked me some questions. I told him about my transplant and what I have been doing and the next minute he was introducing me to the Queen.
"The strangest thing was that at that exact moment, the clouds parted and the sun shone down on us.
"We talked for a moment about transplant week and what I have been doing and then she said she would have to get an umbrella because it was about to rain again."
Of the occasion, she concluded: "It was just so special and I'm glad I got to share it with my husband, too."
Wendy has completed in 11 British Transplant Games and four World Transplant Games.
She has achieved 73 medals, promotes organ transplants by holding charity events and giving talks.
To join the NHS Organ Donor register, simply log on at: http://www.uktransplant.org.uk">www.uktransplant.org.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.
Alan Quick