A heroic eight-year-old from Farnham who received a life-saving kidney transplant from his mum just two years ago has bagged a trio of golds and a bronze medal at the British Transplant Games.

Matti Carrington stormed to victory in the 50m sprint, obstacle race and ball throwing events in Coventry – while his mum Marjorie seized her own 100m sprint gold at the inspiring annual event.

Matti and his family have also raised £3,400 in aid of the Southampton Children’s Charity and the British Transplant Games 2023, where he competed alongside other child transplant patients from across the country.

The youngster was diagnosed with a rare genetic kidney condition as a baby and received a kidney transplant from his mum in October 2021.

Matti was one of a team of 20 child patients from Southampton’s Children’s Hospital to take part in the British Transplant Games
Matti was one of a team of 20 child patients from Southampton’s Children’s Hospital to take part in the British Transplant Games (Carrington family)

Throughout his battle and subsequent transplant, Matti and his family have been consistently supported by the team at Southampton’s Children’s Hospital. Matti joined the hospital’s children’s team at the Games alongside 20 other child patients.

The family took part in fundraising for the trip, putting together an evening of songs and melodies at the Music for Matti concert at St Thomas-on-the Bourne last month.

With a variety of sporting events available, Matti came out on top in the 50m sprint, obstacle race and ball throwing, winning the gold medal for each.

But he wasn’t the only one in the family trying their sporting hand, as mum Marjorie also won gold in the donors’ 100m sprint. Having participated in the Transplant Games in previous years, she took inspiration and decided to begin training for this year, which was richly rewarded!

Matti Carrington, whose mummy donated him a kidney aged just six
Matti Carrington, whose mummy donated him a kidney aged just six (Carrington family)

Matti’s dad Stefan praised the benefits for the children in participating in sporting events and said: “It is almost like a treatment when they get to meet other children who have also had transplants. It really helps to reduce their anxiety around it.” 

After the medal successes, the Carrington family have already decided they will definitely be returning to the Games next year in Nottingham.

For more information and to donate to the family’s fundraising campaign, head to their crowdfunding web page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Southampton-childrens-transplant-games

By Natasha Cocksedge