The 2026 Westfield Health British Transplant Games brought the transplant community to Sheffield in August for a wonderful celebration of sport, courage, remembrance and the gift of life.
The Games are about much more than sporting competition. They demonstrate how transplantation can transform people’s lives, encourage transplant recipients to remain active, honour donors and their families, and raise awareness of the continuing need for more organ donors.
Importantly, the Games also encourage people to share their organ donation decision with their families. Whatever that decision may be, talking about it means loved ones are certain about someone’s wishes and can support them if the time comes.
The 2026 British Transplant Games were the biggest ever, bringing together over 3,000 competitors, living donors and their supporters, including donor families, relatives, friends and NHS staff.
From Amsterdam to Sheffield
The Games began with a 240 km cycling challenge organised by member of the Westfield Health Team, Rob Green, joined by colleagues Bart Groen, Pete Williams, Nicola Barke, Ellemieke van Ommen, Lee Grimes, Tom Boyesen-Corballis, Jez Green, Gavin Padley, Robin Horeman, Peter O’Neil, Rob Walker and Wes Baggaley. The team arrived in the city just in time for the start of the Games.
Together, we are proud to report that the team raised an impressive £4,018, a fantastic way to kick off the week of events!
Westfield Health at the heart of the Games
As headline sponsor Westfield Health wanted to have a welcoming and memorable presence throughout the event as we welcomed it to our hometown.
Activity stands at the major venues offered something new for competitors and supporters of all ages. Visitors tested their reactions with BlazePods, challenged themselves on a Giant Operation game, generated their own refreshments on the Smoothie Bikes, enjoyed table top games and added a little sparkle with our ever popular glitter tattoos.
We were also delighted to support the Sheffield transplant team with specially designed kits for both competitors and supporters.
Another unmistakably Sheffield feature of the 2026 celebrations was the Pride of Yorkshire Transplant Lion, designed by renowned local artist Pete McKee. Standing proudly outside Sheffield City Hall throughout the Games, the lion provided a colourful focal point and a memorable symbol of the city’s support for the transplant community.
A place to remember
Amid the energy and celebration, there was also important opportunities for reflection.
Throughout the Games, many poignant handwritten messages were left on our Remembrance Tree, honouring donors and donor families and remembering the people whose generosity made the gift of life possible.
The tree of remembrance will now be given a home in the downstairs reception area of Westfield Health’s headquarter offices in Sheffield, where visitors will be able to see these moving messages and reflect on what the Games represent.
Understanding the impact of the Games
In conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University, we also undertook a comprehensive evaluation exercise to understand more fully the impact of the Games and the social value they created.
The findings will help demonstrate the difference the Games make to transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, supporters, volunteers and the wider community. They will also provide valuable evidence to help shape and strengthen future Games.
Thank you to the brilliant volunteers
Now that the British Transplant Games 2026 has come to a close, it is important to remember that none of this would have been possible without a fantastic team of volunteers, who gave their time, energy and enthusiasm to help make the 2026 Sheffield Games so special.
A particular thank you goes to Katie Smith and Pete Williams, who had the honour of leading the athletes’ parade to the opening ceremony.
Thank you also to everyone who volunteered on our activity stands including Angela Beresford, Bethany Cudworth, Brittany Duncan, Caroline Mason, Eleanore Mosses, Fiona Peacock, Hope Zelly, Julie Lawrence, Ellie Calton, Charlotte Vickery, Katie Smith, Manni Aheer, Nick Pearson, Pete Williams, Emma Guest, Rumana Kamal, Sue Down, Susanna Shields and Gemma Lockwood, Claire Bishop from Google Dubai and Elis Evans from Google Zurich.
From welcoming visitors, running activities, applying glitter tattoos and helping to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere, every volunteer played an important part.
Looking ahead: British Transplant Games comes to Birmingham!
The Games will return next year, when Birmingham hosts the transplant community from Thursday 29 July to Sunday 1 August 2027.