MANY had battled back from the brink of death.

And that fighting spirit was proudly on display as transplant survivors faced off at an annual racquets tournament.

About 70 people who had been through life-saving operations descended on the Virgin Active Sports Club in Woodstock Road, Oxford, on Saturday.

Heart, lung, pancreas, bone marrow and liver transplant patients were among those who played tennis, badminton and squash.

Many will go on to represent Britain in the World Transplant Games in Durban, South Africa, later this year.

Tom Spencer, a lifeguard at Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney, practised his badminton backhand against competitors from across the UK.

The Carterton resident, 22, was saved by a kidney transplant as a three-year-old and went on to flourish at the sport as a teenager.

He said: “The great thing about today is that it has brought so many people together.

“The event is a social thing too, and is a good way to meet people who have been through the same thing you have.

“I’ve represented Great Britain at Transplant Games in Canada, Thailand and Australia and hope to challenge at many more in the future.

He added: “I’ve no idea where my skill at badminton came from. None of my family ever really played it, but as soon as I picked up a badminton racquet I felt like a natural.”

The tournament was co-ordinated by two Oxford NHS consultant transplant physicians, Paul Harden and Dan Lonsdale.

Mr Harden said: “A lot of these youngsters had transplants as children and, as is completely natural when they become teenagers, they rebel.

“They miss appointments, don’t take medication, and often don’t look after themselves in ways that could be dangerous to their health.

“By getting people involved we can stop them from becoming isolated and introduce them to new friends.”

TRANSPLANT GAMES HISTORY

  • The first Transplant Games took placce on one day in Portsmouth in 1978. About 100 people took part.
  • It quickly grew into a four-day tournament featuring more than 600 entrants, and has also spawned a world event held every two years.
  • Organ transplant recipients from more than 55 countries compete in the hope of winning gold, silver and bronze medals.
  • Sports include golf, volleyball, a 5km road race, swimming, squash and even tenpin bowling.
  • The annual British Transplant Games will be held in Sheffield between August 15 and 18.
  • The world tournament is due to take place in Durban, South Africa, from July 28 to August 4.