AN inspirational transplant athlete from Calne, who overcame serious illness, has returned home after competing for Team GB at the European Transplant Sport Championships in Helsinki.

Matt Cave, 34, of The Willows, had a kidney transplant three years ago and is now living life to the full, having represented Team GB at a number of sporting events and even beating his own world record.

The chartered accountant at Nationwide said: "When I was becoming considerably more ill and starting dialysis in the summer of 2012, which was quite a good year for sport, I watched the Olympics and then the Paralympics afterwards and thought to myself there must be a transplant equivalent of this.

"So before my transplant operation I found all of the details and had signed up and it gave me something to aim for and to get fit for."

Mr Cave took part in the 100m, 200m, 400m sprints, cricket ball throwing and javelin at the Helsinki championships and beat his previous javelin world record of 40m 60cm by more than two metres.

"I am delighted with my performance, bringing home four gold medals, and one silver, plus a bronze in the relay in memory of my donor and their family," he said.

Team GB won a total of 63 medals, including 31 gold and joined competitors from 25 countries across Europe to compere in the games organised by the European Transplant and Dialysis Sporting Federation, something which the Calne athlete encourages people waiting for transplants to look into.

"I encourage them to speak to their doctors and nurses at the hospital as it is something that is very achievable. There are lots of different sports that people have been competing in their whole lives and not just athletics.

"It is very exciting and gives you motivation to look after yourself as the healthier you are the higher the success rate of the transplant."

Athletes from across the country, including Mr Cave, are now preparing for the British Transplant Games in Liverpool which will start on Tuesday.

Lynne Holt, from the charity Transplant Sport (TSUK) which backs Team GB, said: "Our transplant athletes are the best in the world, setting many of the transplant world records. Numerous of our transplant athletes have experienced near death situations and long illness, and it is very gratifying to see them able to enjoy a full life, thanks to organ donation. However, all our athletes are gold medallists, in that they have all won their race for life!

"Hopefully this international event will encourage others to sign on to the Organ Donor Register, but most importantly, discuss their donation wishes with their families now."