A YOUNG woman from Burnley has been selected to compete in the World Transplant Games in Australia.

Lauren Leach, 20, of Ightenhill, will join a squad of 150 transplant athletes to represent the UK ‘Down Under’.

The young athlete had a liver transplant when she was just 12 months old, and since then has taken home gold, silver and bronze medals in previous years at both the British and World Transplant Games.

Now Lauren is looking to take the Aussies by storm.

She said: “My confidence is high at the moment and training has gone well but you never know who you will be up against.

“I am looking forward to going to Australia as I have never been there before.

“I have focussed my training on athletics and swimming and hopefully I will be competing in both.”

Lauren will take part in several events including the high jump and sprinting.

There are concerns however, that the current financial climate may prevent some athletes travelling to Australia to compete.

Lynne Holt, Team UK manager, said: “All the members of Team UK are living examples of the power of organ transplants, as well as being inspirational athletes, winning medals at the British and World Transplant Games. It will be a tragedy if Team UK can’t make it to Australia due to a lack of funding.

“We fully support these incredible athletes who tirelessly campaign, raising awareness of the issues surrounding organ donation.

“With just weeks to go, we hope that each and every member realises their dream of competing in Australia this summer.”

Team UK returned home triumphant from the 2007 World Transplant Games held in Bangkok, Thailand, totalling 293 medals wins.

For more information on how to donate to Transplant Sport UK call 020 8977 9132.