HAVING a kidney transplant has given a new lease of life to nine-year-old Charlene Mills.

Now she is keen to compete in the British Transplant Games in Belfast - even though she doesn't rate her chances!.

Charlene's events are the 50m track, 25m freestyle swimming and the obstacle race for girls aged eight to nine. Before leaving for Belfast she told the Citizen: "lt will be a lot of fun. I don't think I'll win though."

Until recently, Charlene could only sit and watch all the sports she loves as she was born with kidney failure and spent the first 14 months of her life in hospital.

After that, she was constantly in and out of hospital and placed on dialysis at the age of five.

Since Charlene's transplant in January 1996, however, mum Christine marvels at the change in her daughter.

She said: "Charlene was always an avid sports supporter, particularly of Manchester United. Since the operation she has become a very active participant.

"She is making up for lost time and now dances, swims, runs and all sorts. She is finally able to be a normal, healthy child."

Lancashire has sent seven entrants ranging in age from nine to 61 to the games which run until August 2.

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