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Isle of Wight: Island swimmer for World Transplant Games

In the swim for a world bid

By Ross Findon - Tuesday, October 7, 2008
In the swim for a world bid
SWIMMING STAR: Island swimmer Stephen Lee will be competing in the World Transplant Games in Australia next year.
A TALENTED Island swimmer has become the youngest member of a national swimming team that will compete at the World Transplant Games next year.
At just 11 years old, Lake Middle School pupil Stephen Lee, who was born with kidney failure and had a transplant in 2005, has already made a splash nationally.
In August, he won gold in the pool in his age category and the one above, catching the eye of team selectors for Great Britain.
He will compete with the team at the World Transplant Games in Australia next August.
“He is very, very excited and we are very proud of him,” said his mother, Yvonne.
His achievement has come only five years after Stephen developed the virus Henoch-Schonlein purpura, which left him in a wheelchair, suffering arthritis-like symptoms.
In March, 2006, he was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital for a transplant, using one of his father Andrew’s kidneys.
“We just thought that because he lived on the Island he should learn to swim and it would be good exercise. We did not expect all of this, “ said Mrs Lee.
“He went along to the first British Transplant Games in 2006 not knowing what to expect and he just got a gold medal by the skin of his teeth. After that he wanted to do it again and started training in May for this year’s event, where he got two golds and a bronze.”
She paid tribute to the South Wight Swimming Club, where he trains three times a week.
“This is a fantastic achievement and we can’t thank everyone at South Wight Swimming Club enough,” she said.
The family has appealed for anyone who would like to sponsor Stephen, who lives in Sandown, and help meet the costs of competing in Australia, to contact them on 402811.

Reporter: ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk