Pitsea teenager's two medals at Transplant games - UK

Echo | Emma Palmer


JUST six years ago Taylor Turner was ashen grey, stuck in a wheelchair and simply trying to survive.

Now he’s proved he has a heart of courage after sprinting his way to success at the British Transplant Games.

Taylor, 13, who owes his life to receiving a new heart when was seven, has taken two bronze medals at the event – designed to be a celebration of life for transplant recipients.

The youngster, of Crown Avenue, Pitsea , was born with an extremely rare heart defect and was so ill at one point doctors decided there was nothing more they could do.

However, Taylor and his family never gave up and thanks to Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London, he was given a “miracle” heart transplant.

The pupil of Woodlands School in Basildon , picked up his medals in the 100 metres and badminton at the 35th games, held in Kent for more than 700 people.

Read more
{Register to be an organ,eye and tissue donor. To learn how, www.donatelife.net or www.organdonor.gov}