Alex, 22, has high hopes for top spot at games, Teesdale Mercury

HE brought back the silver medal last year but this time Alex Crawley hopes to be heading back from the British Transplant Games with the gold. 

The 22-year-old, from Barnard Castle, has suffered from dysplastic kidneys since he was a baby and underwent his first transplant as a three-year-old. Then in 2007, Alex had to have a further transplant but now – just three years after that operation – he plans to take part in four events at the popular tournament being held in Bath in August. 

The former Teesdale Comprehensive School pupil will battle it out for first place in the 50m freestyle swimming, fishing, table tennis and ball throw – his strongest sport. 

At last year’s games, Alex performed well enough to get into second place but he believes he has a good chance of coming away with gold at this month’s games, which take place on August 9 to August 22.

Alex, who lives with his grandparents Pat and Alf Drew, said he could have worked harder to prepare for the games but he hopes hours of throwing balls for his dog will see him in good stead. 

He said: “For the fishing, me and my brother have been out practising a few different methods and for the ball throw I’ve been messing about with the dogs in the back garden. I should probably have done more swimming practice but I hope that I can do enough.”

Alex is also happy to be catching up with some old friends who he used to spend time with in Great Ormond Street Hospital. He added: “I’m as fit and well as you can be with everything that’s gone on but I don’t want to let it stop me.”