MULTIPLE World Transplant Games medal winner Matt Cave has dedicated his victory to the humbling generosity of organ donors.

The chartered accountant, who works at Nationwide in Swindon, won a gold medal in the javelin, with a new world record for his age group, and three silver medals in the 100m, 200m, 400m and both relays.

Mr Cave, 33, of The Willows in Calne, had a kidney transplant in November 2012 and, inspired by the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, decided to compete at the British Transplant Games before being selected to represent Team GB in Argentina.

He said: “It was a pleasant surprise to win quite as many medals as I did. I was hoping to win three individual medals and I exceeded that, just about. I really wanted silver in the 400m and to break a world record in the javelin in my age group.

“I was really pleased to break the record. It was a relief because I did it with with my first throw so it was nice to get one that could be measured first up. I had thrown that far in practice so I knew I had it in me. Afterwards it sunk in I had thrown further than anyone else before.

Mr Cave had a long-standing kidney disease which was diagnosed at a young age and knew he would eventually need a transplant.

But he was just 30 when he started needing dialysis before the life-changing call came.

“To begin with it was quite a surprise I was only on the waiting list for under three weeks the average is nearer three years,” Mr Cave added.

“It was disbelief to begin with, they do a lot of work to prepare you for that moment, what to expect etc, but nothing quite truly prepares you for what that day would be like.

“There are mixed emotions because it’s someone else’s loved one, but the family have taken a courageous decision to donate their organs which is very humbling.

“None of us would be able to do anything approaching the athletics we are able to without the generosity of our donors and their families.”

Steven Cave, Matt’s dad, watched his son in action via a live steam online in Spanish.

He said: “It’s an incredible achievement and I am very very proud of him he’s got himself extremely fit and it’s great to see him be so successful on a world stage.”

Monday (Sept 7) saw the start of National Transplant Week to encourage more people to become donors.