“I was never sick a day in my life. Then one day I was coming home from work on the bus when it hit a roundabout and I was thrown across the bus,” said Paul Prendergast.

“I suffered two broken ribs and the doctors told me I was very lucky – because the x-rays showed that I had polycystic kidneys.

“Basically, had it not been discovered, I could have dropped dead at any time had my creatien levels flared up.”

After three years on dialysis, the 59 year-old received a kidney transplant in 1999. “I have been in great health since then and I can’t thank my donor enough. I love my life and all the sports I do and I will keep it up for as long as I can,” he said.

And now the Dublin man will travel to Bangkok to compete in the 16th World Transplant Games, which run from Saturday, August 25th until Sunday, September 2nd.

“I am looking forward to it without a doubt,” said the active father of thirteen.

The Northsider swims three times a week at the Westwood in Fairview. “They are really good to me down there, they have sponsored me so I can use their pool to practice in the run up to the games,” he added.

“I also received a most generous donation from my neighbours Paul and Sandra Larkin and I am so grateful to them and everyone who has supported me.”

Paul won five gold medals in the National Games this year, four silver medals for swimming in the European Games in Hungary last year and a silver medal in the European Games in Slovenia in 2004.

“The standard at the Games is amazing. But I am always hopeful of a medal,” said Paul.
He will compete in the 50m breast stroke, 50m back stroke, petanque doubles and ten pin bowling (singles and doubles).

And his wife Rose will travel to Thailand to support her husband in his bid for glory.

You can follow the athletes’ progress on www.transplantteamireland.com . For an organ donor card free text the word ‘DONOR’ to 50050 or for more information log on to www.ika.ie.