Six Papworth transplant patients enter a team for Chariots of Fire

An inspiring group of six runners all have one thing in common; Papworth Hospital saved their lives through the gift of heart and lung transplants. 

Celebrating their second chance of life, the group of patients have entered a Transplant Sport team into Chariots of Fire. The team includes Nick Condon, Clive Andrews, Eric Scoones, Ernesto Antonio, Annette Tremlin and Tom Shing. Maggie Gambrill, the Transplant Sport Team Manager and a Papworth heart transplant recipient in 2002, said: “We owe our lives to our donors and the families who made the selfless decision at such a difficult time.” 

The team are racing in Chariots of Fire to express their gratitude to Papworth Hospital for their expertise and continuing care, as well as raise vital funds for Papworth’s life-saving DCD transplant programme. Team members Annette and Tom, were both recipients of a ‘Non-Beating Heart Transplant’ and now lead physical and active lives. Tom said: “I want people to see how Papworth can change lives. Before my transplant I couldn’t even run up the stairs but now I can do all the things I previously couldn’t enjoy.” 

The money raised in Chariots of Fire will help fund Papworth’s DCD transplant programme which is currently not supported by NHS funding. The procedure has enabled the number of people receiving a heart transplant at Papworth to increase by 40% in the first year alone. 

The race, organised by Hewitsons Charitable Trust and supported by The News, takes place on Sunday 18th September and starts and ends on Queens’ Green. Each runner will follow a picturesque and unique 1.7-mile route through some of Cambridge’s historic city centre and beautiful colleges, over the Cam and along the Backs, before passing on the baton to the next runner at Queens’ Green. Team registrations close on Wednesday 14th September at 5.00pm or earlier if registrations reach 380 teams. For more information, please visit www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk/enter.