Westfield Health British Transplant Games Leeds 2022 dates announced following Covid postponement

The games will be taking place in venues across Leeds from July 28 to July 31 in 2022.

The Transplant Sport event will be staged with renewed support from Westfield Health as well as Leeds City Council, Leeds Hospitals Charity, Visit Leeds and the University of Leeds.

The British Transplant Games has been postponed for the second year due to the pandemic, but Leeds hosts are determined to deliver the "best event yet" in 2022.

It will see over 24 sporting events take place across the four days with thousands of athletes and their friends and families expected to travel to Leeds from across the UK to watch.

This summer's first ever British Transplant Games Cycling Sportive will start the build up on August 8.

In May 2020, Max and Keira’s Law was put into place to create an ‘opt-out’ system for organ donation.

The British Transplant Games said that a year on from the law change, "it’s more important than ever" to share wishes with loved ones and the Games seek to not only raise awareness of the life-saving benefits of organ donation and the importance of staying active post-transplant, but also to encourage these conversations to happen.

Chief executive at Asda, Roger Burnley, will be continuing his role as Chair of the Stakeholder Board for the 2022 Games.

He said: “We are really pleased to be able to finally share the dates for the Westfield Health British Transplant Games 2022.

"The city of Leeds is ready and raring to go, and we can’t wait to welcome the transplant community for one of its biggest events.

"We’re confident that the 2022 Games will be the biggest celebration yet and the perfect way to bring everyone back together after an extremely difficult couple of years.”

Dr Paul Harden, chair of trustees for Transplant Sport, said: “The British Transplant Games is such an important event for our transplant community and not being able to see each other for the last couple of years has been incredibly hard for recipients, donor families and supporters.

"Now that it is safe to do so, we’re so excited to be able to announce the new dates for 2022.

"We’re extremely grateful for the support from Games organisers, supporters and local partners in Leeds for making it all possible and we hope to see as many people there as possible next summer!”

David Capper, chief executive officer at Westfield Health, said: “Transplant athletes know better than anyone the value of health and the power of perseverance – two lessons that the pandemic has only underlined.

"Having sponsored the games for over a decade, we’re delighted to have them on our doorstep in Leeds next year and to celebrate the continued health, perseverance and achievements of everyone involved.”

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming the transplant community to Leeds for one of its biggest events.

"It’s been a huge shame to see vital awareness raising events like this postponed due to Covid-19 so it is wonderful to get dates back in the diary.

"We’re confident the 2022 games will be worth the wait.”

Esther Wakeman, chief executive officer at Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: “We're so incredibly proud of the important work that transplant units are doing here in Leeds and are really excited that Leeds Hospitals Charity can support in finally bringing the British Transplant Games to Leeds next Summer.

"It's fantastic to have these dates in the diary to look forward to and we can't wait to celebrate and raise awareness on such an amazing cause with the entire transplant community, their families and friends.”

For more information on the Westfield Health British Transplant Games 2022 click here.