Local siblings are set to compete at the British Transplant Games later this year. 

Milo and Wren, aged 8 and 9, are competing in the annual British Transplant Games in Coventry this July. 

Returning for the first time since the pandemic, the games will have been taking place for 45 years this year, and see adults and children from across the country competing to win while raising money for charity.  

The local duo will be making history in the children's games, as it will be the first time that siblings have ever competed for King's Hospital.  

Milo said: "We are the first siblings to be in the King's transplant team. I think going with my sister is really good because we can support each other."

They are competing to raise money for King's Hospital, where both received life-saving care. 

Wren and Milo were both born with PFIC-2, a rare genetic liver condition, and have been treated by King's College Hospital for the past 9 years. Milo received a liver transplant in 2016 aged 2, and Wren received a liver transplant in 2021 at the age of 7.

Milo explained: "I can't really remember having a transplant but I'm really good at blood tests now, I have big juicy veins.

"Everyone at the transplant games has been through similar things to us so will understand how hard it is always being sick."

Milo will be competing in long jump and badminton, and Wren is doing ball throw and badminton. Both will also take part in the donor run with mum, Rachel, and sister Annie – a social event to celebrate all donors. 

Wren said: "I really like basketball, so I think throwing events will be my best at the games."

The primary aim of the games is to raise awareness of organ donation and encourage conversation around it, as well as to raise money for associated charities and organisations. 

To fundraise, the duo have a JustGiving page and are holding a raffle to win a lucky crew stunt scooter – a prize inspired by Milo's love of scooters and skate parks. 

Milo and Wren are excited to compete, raise money and make friends. 

Milo said: "I'm looking forward to going to the transplant games because I think I might make some more friends there and I want to try my best at long jump, I wish they had scootering because then I would win!" 

Wren added: "Having a transplant is really hard, it is painful afterwards and because I get ill easily I can't see my friends when they are sick and that makes me sad.

"Hopefully the transplant games will make more people tell their family they want to donate organs because when I needed a liver, I was really sick and would have died quickly if I didn't get one."

Proud mum, Rachel, added: "It is really exciting going to the transplant games. Milo and Wren love being active and their illnesses can disadvantage them when competing with healthy children, so it will be lovely to have a level playing field." 

The pair are being supported by parents Rachel and Zoë, and their older sister Annabel.

The Transplant Games offer an opportunity to raise awareness of organ donation.

Around 500,000 people die every year in the UK but only around 1% in circumstances where organ donation is possible. Although the rules around organ donation have changed to an 'opt out' system, the decision still lies with next of kin, so it is really important for people to have that conversation with their family.

Rachel added: "Many people do not realise that in the UK, most childhood liver transplants are completed using one third of an adult donor liver, meaning one donor liver can often save two lives and one organ donor can save up to nine people.

"Wren and Milo have been sick all their lives. Wren was first admitted to hospital at 4 months, and Milo was diagnosed from cord bloods. No one ever prepares you for the amount the trauma of constant medical intervention has on a child.  

"Wren didn't speak at all for a long time after transplant. Watching your child fight physical pain is hard but you can be proactive and get them help swiftly, but watching them in emotional pain is much more distressing because there is no easy fix.

"Hopefully by attending the games they will meet other children who have been through the same things and will feel comfortable to open up and share their stories." 

Milo and Wren will have the opportunity, if they choose to, to take part in future transplant games, and can join the adult games when they are older – something that will happen due to the wonderful support of King's College. 

Rachel added: "I really hope both children continue with transplant sport, there is a world transplant games for adults and I'd love for them to have travel opportunities in the future. It is often really hard to travel with complex health conditions so getting that chance surrounded by friends would be incredible." 

To donate to the cause, head to their JustGiving page.

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