A YOUNGSTER who had a life-saving kidney transplant is looking forward to taking part in the Transplant Games this summer.

Ten-year-old Jack Porter had his operation five years ago and this will be the third time he has been involved in the competition.

On Saturday his mum Kim and family friend Lesley Brown organised a craft fayre at the Liden Community Centre to raise money for the games.

Kim, 40, said: "We wanted to raise the money because it's so important for these children to have this opportunity.

"They compete against children of similar ability and it's really nice for them.

"It's very emotional to watch all these children who have had transplants competing and enjoying themselves."

The Transplant Games are organised by the Transplant Sport's Association of Great Britain (TSAGB).

They started in 1978 when 100 people took part and over the past 20 years, the games have grown to a four-day annual event for more than 500 competitors and nearly 1,000 supporters.

The money that Kim and Lesley raised will go to Bristol's children's renal unit to be used for the games in August.

For Jack's parents Kim and Shaun, the chance to see their son taking part in the 50-metre race, the ball throw and an obstacle race is a sign of how far he has come.

Jack was born with prune bellow syndrome, also known as Eagle-Barrett syndrome, which led to kidney failure.

As reported in the Adver at the time he had countless operations which failed to cure it before the news came that a donor had been found for him to have a transplant.

Last year as part of a BBC documentary, the family met Rona, the mother of Jack's donor, 16-year-old Nicola Raphael, who committed suicide after being bullied by classmates.

Kim is still in touch with Rona and they are hoping to meet up again.

But for now Kim is concentrating on raising money for the games.

She said: "Jack is really looking forward to it.

"It's just the taking part and all the children really love it.

"He is doing really, really well and we're chuffed."

Kim also thanked those who helped raise money on Saturday.

"Without the people who paid to have stalls, we wouldn't have been able to do it," she said.

"We didn't get as many people as we would have liked but we're planning another one in June so hopefully that will go a bit better."

To find out more about the Transplant Games, go online at www.tsagb.org.