A five-year-old boy has competed in a national sports competition - just one year after a life-saving kidney operation.

Five-year-old Finley Racey, of Old Fort, Keelham, Denholme, took part in the obstacle course, ball throw and 50- metre dash events at the British Transplant Games.

The young athlete, who attended the event as part of the eight-strong Jimmiz KRU team - a group of kidney transplant patients from St James's Hospital Kidney and Renal Unit, Leeds - was supported by mum Tracey, dad Lance, brothers Alex, eight, and Oliver, two, and baby sister Freya.

Lance said: "The fact that Finley was able to run, was able to throw a ball and was just able to participate was absolutely fantastic.

"We've had five years when we've been worried about his health, at some points we thought he was going to die. Just to see him being a normal boy was great."

Tracey said: "He's still quite young so he doesn't have the same competitive streak as the older ones, but he got a medal for taking part."

Finley, who was born six weeks prematurely, endured months of ill health, trips to hospital and dialysis as a baby and a toddler.

His condition has improved since the transplant last May, but his new kidney is a treatment rather than a cure.

His health is still maintained by medication, and the kidney's useful life is expected to be about ten years.

Lance said: "The problem for Finley was that dialysis wasn't successful. If the kidney was to fail we could have severe difficulties in trying to dialyse.

"We have days where his eyes are pale and dark. It can be worrying."

But the Transplant Games helped remind the family they are not alone, and gave then hope for the future.

"We met a man who had a kidney transplant 20 years ago," said Lance.

Finley, who was one of the games' youngest competitors, can enjoy a range of activities including athletics and swimming, but has been advised not to take part in contact sports, horse riding or skiing because he may damage his kidney.

The games, organised by the Transplant Sports Association of Great Britain, encourage people with a potentially fatal disease to live life to the full.

This year they were held in Bath and covered by Sky and CBeebies. Next year they will take place in Edinburgh.

Lance said the "fantastic" event helped raise awareness of the organ donation register and gave transplant patients and their families camaraderie and support.

"We're really glad that this was possible," he said. "We'll definitely be in Edinburgh next year."

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