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By Lisa Smyth | Belfast Telegraph

People across Northern Ireland are today called to sign up to take part in the Belfast Telegraph Donor Run.

The event, which takes place on August 6 in Ormeau Park, Belfast, offers people who have not had a transplant the opportunity to support Transplant Sport UK (TSUK).

The charity organises the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, which is coming to Belfast in August this year.

The annual sporting contest will see around 800 athletes — who have all received a transplant — take part in around 18 different sporting activities over a four-day period.

From archery and golf, to swimming and athletics, the aim of the Games is to showcase the benefits of organ donation and encourage as many people as possible to sign onto the NHS Organ Donor Register. Anyone on the register should also discuss their wishes with their loved ones.

Northern Ireland has one of the lowest percentages of people signed on, at just 26% of the population.

The Belfast Telegraph is committed to the overall goal of increasing this to around 33%, but will need the help of readers to do this.

Lynne Holt, trustee of TSUK said she is delighted the Belfast Telegraph is supporting the Donor Run.

“Each year, the Donor Run is organised to encourage people, who want to show their support for the athletes, to take part in what is always a really good fun event,” she said.

“The Games exist to get people thinking about the issue of organ donation and while supporters can watch all the other events from the sidelines, they can actually take part in this event.

“We hope, with the backing of the Belfast Telegraph, that we will see a huge turnout of people signing up for the Belfast Telegraph Donor Run.”

Belfast Telegraph editor Mike Gilson said: “The staff at the Freeman Hospital do life-saving work every day, but the only way they can do that is through the generosity of the donor families.

“We are calling for people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register and discuss their wishes with their families, as well as take part in the Belfast Telegraph Donor Run.”

Sign up for the Belfast Telegraph Donor Run today by logging on www.niathletics.org

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For further information on the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, log on to www.transplantsport.org.uk.

To sign the NHS Organ Donor Register and help save lives, telephone 0300 123 2323, text SAVE to 84118 or log onto organdonation.nhs.uk.