This week (30 July – 2 August 2020) Transplant Sport is delighted to present the first ever Virtual Westfield Health British Transplant Games which will take place on social media and in people’s homes across the UK.
Thousands of transplanted athletes, their supporters and special guests were due to descend on Coventry this week for the 43rd annual British Transplant Games, the flagship event of Transplant Sport. The Games could not go ahead as planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic but that hasn’t stopped the transplant community from continuing to celebrate the gift of life, they’re taking the celebrations online!
The Virtual Opening Ceremony will kick off proceedings on Thursday with a series of videos from past ceremonies and athlete parades, messages from the host city Coventry as well as a lighting of the Donor Family Flame to mark the official start of the Games.
On Friday and Saturday video messages will be posted encouraging transplant recipients to complete activities at home in place of the events they were due to be competing in and share their results. Whether it’s throwing paper airplanes instead of javelins, swimming in paddling pools or playing table tennis on the kitchen table, the more creative the better!
Friday will end with a game of virtual rock and roll bingo, with all proceeds going to Transplant Sport. Saturday evening will see the usual Donor Run, with the transplant community being encouraged to complete the walk or run in their own local areas and get as many people involved as possible.
Sunday will see another morning of sport, with the closing ceremony and official handover to Leeds happening in the evening.
The virtual games are being supported by long-term partners including Westfield Health, Kidney Care UK and Anthony Nolan, with activity also happening across their channels.
To follow and get involved with the Virtual Westfield Health British Transplant Games, follow on Facebook at British Transplant Games and Twitter at @WHBTG, using the hashtag #BTGVirtualGames2020
