Almost an Athlete : The Incredible Achievements of a British Transplant Runner

At the age of 20, in 1970, Peter''s job as a probationary Police Constable, in Birmingham, came to a devastating end, when it was discovered, that he was suffering from kidney disease. The prognosis was not encouraging.

At 22, the condition deteriorated, to where he needed 30 hours of dialysis, a week. This led to a very restricted life style with a salt free diet, low fluid intake, and breaks away limited to where there was dialysis availability, for next 6 years. After a successful kidney transplant, in 1978, Peter was soon competing in the domestic Transplant Games, and then representing Great Britain, in the World Transplant Games, 6 times, winning medals, including 2 golds. Peter''s local running club, which he had joined, happened to organise the first mass marathon in the country. In 1981, he became the first transplantee to run a marathon, followed by two more marathons that year. He was involved with the Transplant Games for more than twenty years, being a member of the management committee, the Birmingham team manager, event organiser, and also as a competitor.