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Fundraiser to send Coventry students to World Transplant Games

Coventry Sports Foundation is swinging into action to help send a team of local sports therapists to the World Transplant Games in Argentina.

Six sports therapy students and a sports therapy lecturer from Coventry University need to raise £15,000 to provide medical support to the British team competing in the World Transplant Games in August.

Coventry Sports Foundation is helping to meet their fundraising target at its annual golf tournament at Brandon Wood Golf Course and Club in Wolston, Coventry, on Friday, May 22.

The World Transplant Games aim to give athletes who have undergone lifesaving organ donations the opportunity to take part in competitive sports activities at the same time as raising global awareness of the importance of organ donation.

Students Alex Marney, Emily Wilson, Faye McIntosh, Leanne Jaye Walker, Louise Anderson and Sam Travill are hoping to attend the Games together with their lecturer Sheila Leddington Wright.

Leanne Jaye, who is a qualified sports therapist and strength conditioning master’s student, said: “I helped to raise funds for the 2013 team which attended the Games in South Africa and it really inspired me to volunteer this year.

“As a team we will be working with the athletes to help prepare them for the events. We are all at different levels, with some being second year and third year students, so we will work within our competencies to provide pre and post-event treatment.

“A lot of the athletes will compete in more than one event and have trained really hard to get to this level. We are just really hoping to be able to support them and help maintain their capabilities throughout the Games.

“It’s a really good opportunity for us to gain global experience in a real working environment and put into practice what we have learnt throughout our studies.

“We have been really pleased with the support we have received not just from our immediate network but from other organisations including Coventry Sports Foundation. It is really encouraging to have their support and it helps us to keep motivated during our fundraising effort.”

Mark Cooke, of Coventry Sports Foundation, said he hopes the golf tournament will rally support for the students.

“It promises to be a fantastic day and we are encouraging teams and organisations across to the region to get involved,” he said.

“It is important that the athletes taking part in the World Transplant Games are able to access the necessary medical treatment and support and we are pleased to be helping the students with their fundraising appeal.

“We have already had a great deal of interest from teams looking to take part in the golf tournament and we accept entries from businesses, sports clubs or just groups of friends - mixed teams are equally welcome.”

The tournament will follow a pairs better ball stableford format with participants competing over 18 holes of golf. There will also be opportunities for participants to sponsor holes and win prizes for the longest drive and nearest the pin.

Entries, which cost £50 per pair, will close on Wednesday, May 20. For more information, or to enter, visit Brandon Wood or contact Mark Cooke on 07894 567081 or email MCooke@covsf.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .