Oxford will host the European Transplant and Dialysis Games next year, the first time that the event is being held in the UK.

Competitors will take part in sports ranging from tennis and football to athletics, squash, and swimming using the facilities at Radley College, which will act as an athletes' village for the week.

The summer event is expected to attract over 400 organ transplant recipients and kidney dialysis patients from over 25 countries across Europe.

The aim is to spread crucial messages about the life-saving benefits of organ donation and encourage people to share their organ donation decision with loved ones.

Hosted by the charity Transplant Sport, the games will take place at venues across Oxfordshire including in the city centre, at the Sheldonian Theatre and Blenheim Palace.

After months of patients having to shield, and the 2020 Games in Dublin being cancelled due to the pandemic, the event, from 21-28 August, promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The launch at Blenheim Palace gave special guests, transplant recipients and dialysis patients the chance to see the venue for the cycling, mini-marathon and pétanque events.

Dr Paul Harden, chair of Transplant Sport, was instrumental in bringing the games to the UK.

Since 2003 he has built up cutting edge young adult transplant service in Oxford.

He said: “It’s been an incredibly tough couple of years for transplant recipients and dialysis patients in particular and many have experienced fear and isolation due to having to shield. We are so excited to be able to stage the European Transplant and Dialysis Games in 2022 and invite the transplant and dialysis community from all over Europe to come together in Oxford, reconnect socially and take part in sport to help keep them active, something which is so important post-transplant.

"We are so grateful to the generosity of Radley College who are providing a Games athletes village and excellent sports facilities. Blenheim Palace have been tremendous for hosting us today and keen to help raise awareness about organ donation. We just can’t wait to see some of the Games events take place in such a spectacular setting.”

Singer-songwriter Adam Isaac, who is currently on dialysis after he was found to have unexpected kidney failure a year ago, performed at the event.

He has been on dialysis most of 2021 and is hoping to get a transplant in early 2022 through a live donation. Previously on The Voice, he has written multiple songs about his experience of dialysis and organ donation.

Andrew Ashton, Bursar at Radley College, said: “We were delighted to be asked to support the Games by hosting the athletes and providing the venue for many of the events. The work Transplant Sport has done to highlight the active and fulfilling lives that recipients can lead post-transplant is truly inspirational.

“These games will be an inspiration to many and will hopefully show that we can all play our part in helping to transform lives. As a school we have a role to play in helping educate people, both in our own community of students and staff and in the many communities we reach out to, in the value of the life sciences and the importance of organ donation."

For more information on The European Transplant and Dialysis Games 2022 and how to get involved please visit: https://transplantsport.org.uk/european-transplant-and-dialysis-sports-games-2022/