A MAN who suffered a string of illnesses with a 50 per cent chance of survival is aiming for four gold medals at the World Transplant Games this summer.

Damian Matich, of Earley, was diagnosed with a combination of rare conditions 20 years ago and doctors couldn't be sure if he would live for the rest of the year.

He beat the odds and continued to battle through ill health, including a series of liver related illnesses.

In 2012 his health got worse, and he had to be given an emergency liver transplant.

The finance and technology consultant is teaming up with a group of 100 Team GB athletes to compete at the World Transplant Games in Argentina this month.

The keen swimmer, who has been racing competitively following his transplant, said the sound of the buzzer helps him to appreciate his survival.

He said: There was an accelerated deterioration and I was just really trying to keep going. My family had to watch their father and husband just disintegrating. It’s a hell of a thing.

“At my first Transplant Games in 2013, it had been a year and five months since my transplant. People say your first Games is quite an emotional event and I just thought, ok. But I remember I got up on the starting blocks and, well, it hit me just how lucky I was to be there. Then the buzzer sounded and I hit the water.

“My son said it was like seeing a big gorilla being thrown in the water compared to everyone else diving in beautifully, but I started flailing my arms furiously and I won the race, in quite a good time too. I’ll never forget that.”

New Zealand born Damian said he is proud to represent Team GB at the games, as a way of paying tribute to the nation that helped him to recover.

He is joined in South America by his wife, son and daughter, who will all be spurring him on for more gold medals.

The 56-year-old that he wouldn't be where he is without the support of his family.

He said: "As a society we need to start thinking about the impact of illness on the families. Without my family’s support I couldn’t do this. They were there for me when I was sick. They were there for me when I came right. And it’s been very difficult for us but we’re now starting to see the fruits of that.”

The games will be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina from 23rd to 30th August 2015.