Bethany's British Transplant Games Appeal
Introduction
BETHANY SALMON is seven years old and lives in West Yorkshire, UK. She was born with a progressive "fatal" liver condition, and by late 2008 was so ill that she was listed for a life-saving liver transplant. A donor organ became available and a successful operation took place in January 2009. She competed in this year's British Transplant Games, representing the LEEDS LITTLE LIVERS team - a squad of brave children who have all received liver transplants. Although she narrowly missed the medals, she hopes to do even better in Belfast, 4th-7th August 2011.
The Appeal
The BRITISH TRANSPLANT GAMES is a massive event, held in a different part of the country each year, using professional sports stadia and facilities. Competitors and their families stay in hotels near the event. The cost is considerable, and the event is only possible if competitors manage to raise funds to cover their share of the expense.
This website has been set up to help Bethany to fund her own place (it is not an appeal for a registered charity), and also to raise awareness of the British Transplant Games, as well as the process of organ donation.
Further down this page are links to other websites with further information as well as a "DONATE" button, which you can use to make a contribution using any major debit or credit card.
THANK YOU!
A total of £342.11 was raised for 2010. Now she's starting to fundraise again for her place in 2011.
Please donate!
MAKING A DONATION to support Bethany in the 2011 games is very easy, and can be done on-line with any major debit or credit card. Simply have your card in front of you, then click the "DONATE" button below. There may be a delay of 20 seconds or so before the PayPal screen appears, then just follow the instructions. (Your donation will be taken by an account in the name of S J Marston). All donations will be greatly appreciated, no matter how large or small.
Fundraising Events
CHILDREN'S PARTY - Thank you to everyone who came to the party on 10th July, £170.11 was raised on the day.
Links to other websites
Click the underlined titles to be taken to the other websites.
BRITISH TRANSPLANT GAMES official website
CARINGBRIDGE - read the diary of Bethany's illness, transplant and all that has followed
BETHANY AND ELOISE - a website specially for children, operated by Bethany and her little sister Eloise
THE ORGAN DONOR REGISTER - Information about organ donation, and a facility to sign up - it only takes two minutes!
Contact us
To send us an e-mail, simply click on the picture of a mouse (left), or the underlined link below.
Snapshots of Bethany
Pictures of the 2010 games will be added in the near future.
The BRITISH TRANSPLANT GAMES were held in Coventry last year. As Bethany was only six months post-transplant at the time she could not compete, but she went along to cheer on her friends from the LEEDS LITTLE LIVERS team.
MEETING FAMOUS PEOPLE - Bethany and Eloise met some distinguished guests at last year's event.
Left: Peter Ford, Chairman of the British Transplant Games,
Centre: Bob Brolly, presenter from BBC Radio Coventry,
Right: Prof. Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director of the NHS.
Below: Bethany watches the events from the grandstand at Coventry, and the girls pose in front of the special bus.
Left: A few more pictures of Bethany and some of the other participants in the 2009 games.
(These pictures should change every three seconds or so).
Right: The 2009 games are over, Eloise and Bethany leave the grandstand with their LEEDS LITTLE LIVERS flags, dreaming of 2010 when Bethany should be fit enough to take part.
THANK YOU for taking time to look at this website. If you're kind enough to make a donation, you will be helping to make Bethany's dream a reality........
(C) Copyright: S J Marston 2010 Website updated: 30 August 2010
