Source: Evening Telegraph
Just three years after undergoing a double lung transplant, a man is planning to complete a gruelling physical challenge – with a little help from his celebrity friend.
Before his transplant, Oli Lewington, of Wollaston Road, Irchester, was so ill he could barely pick up his young niece and nephew.
But his life-saving operation gave the 28-year-old a new lease of life, and he is now getting ready to undertake the Three Peaks Challenge in late May with his TV presenter friend Ben Shephard.
Having suffered with Cystic fibrosis – a condition which affects the lungs – all of his life, Oli became so ill at the age of 22 he was put on the list for a transplant.
Fearing he would not live long enough to receive the operation, the freelance film-maker said the experience has made him extremely grateful to his donor and their family.
And now he wants to raise awareness, through doing the Three Peaks Challenge, of the importance of organ donation and to highlight what a difference transplant can make to people’s lives.
He said: “Organ donation really is the most remarkable thing and the most amazing gift anyone can ever give. I can’t describe how much it has changed my life.
“For me the big thing about doing the Three Peaks is that I feel that I owe something to my donor and their family for being courageous enough to donate the organs to me.”
Oli has also given his full backing to the Evening Telegraph’s campaign, Jordan’s List, a campaign inspired by 15-year-old kidney transplant recipient Jordan Davies in a bid to get as many people as possible to sign the national organ donor register.
Oli struck up a friendship with Ben Shephard after meeting at the Tresco Mile event in 2008. Following Ben’s trek of Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief, Oli challenged him to join him for this latest adventure.
He added: “I’m not only three years post-transplant, but I also suffer from mild osteoporosis and diabetes as a result of my post-transplant drug regime.
“I am doing this challenge along with three friends, including Ben and my brother.
“I had previously begun training for the challenge this time last year, but a bout of acute rejection in my lungs meant it had to be cancelled. I am hoping to attract the support of a local gym and personal trainer who can provide me with advice, guidance and training to make sure that this time nothing can go wrong. I’m also hoping that getting fit for this will help me to push on to other physical challenges.”
Any fitness professionals who can help Oli get ready for his challenge can contact him on 07811 028004 or email oli@olilewington.co.uk.
Before his transplant, Oli Lewington, of Wollaston Road, Irchester, was so ill he could barely pick up his young niece and nephew.
But his life-saving operation gave the 28-year-old a new lease of life, and he is now getting ready to undertake the Three Peaks Challenge in late May with his TV presenter friend Ben Shephard.
Having suffered with Cystic fibrosis – a condition which affects the lungs – all of his life, Oli became so ill at the age of 22 he was put on the list for a transplant.
Fearing he would not live long enough to receive the operation, the freelance film-maker said the experience has made him extremely grateful to his donor and their family.
And now he wants to raise awareness, through doing the Three Peaks Challenge, of the importance of organ donation and to highlight what a difference transplant can make to people’s lives.
He said: “Organ donation really is the most remarkable thing and the most amazing gift anyone can ever give. I can’t describe how much it has changed my life.
“For me the big thing about doing the Three Peaks is that I feel that I owe something to my donor and their family for being courageous enough to donate the organs to me.”
Oli has also given his full backing to the Evening Telegraph’s campaign, Jordan’s List, a campaign inspired by 15-year-old kidney transplant recipient Jordan Davies in a bid to get as many people as possible to sign the national organ donor register.
Oli struck up a friendship with Ben Shephard after meeting at the Tresco Mile event in 2008. Following Ben’s trek of Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief, Oli challenged him to join him for this latest adventure.
He added: “I’m not only three years post-transplant, but I also suffer from mild osteoporosis and diabetes as a result of my post-transplant drug regime.
“I am doing this challenge along with three friends, including Ben and my brother.
“I had previously begun training for the challenge this time last year, but a bout of acute rejection in my lungs meant it had to be cancelled. I am hoping to attract the support of a local gym and personal trainer who can provide me with advice, guidance and training to make sure that this time nothing can go wrong. I’m also hoping that getting fit for this will help me to push on to other physical challenges.”
Any fitness professionals who can help Oli get ready for his challenge can contact him on 07811 028004 or email oli@olilewington.co.uk.
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