A FOUR-YEAR-OLD kidney transplant receiver is raising money so he can take part in the British Transplant Games (BTG) this month.

Dexter Clark, from Caversham, is hosting a second-hand toy sale at Caversham Park Primary School this Saturday (July 20) from 2-4pm.

All monies raised will help send Dexter to the BTG at the end of July.

Each year, a different city welcomes teams from hospitals across the UK to compete and this year it is being held in Newport, Wales.

The games are organised on behalf of Transplant Sport whose aim is to raise awareness of the need for organ donations, encourage transplant recipients to lead active lifestyles and show appreciation for, and remember, donors and their families.

When Dexter was two, he received a kidney transplant from his father, Brendan, and so for the family the games are significant.

Dexter’s mother, Emily Clark, said: “The Games are so important, not only allowing children with life-limiting conditions to compete in sport in a professional environment, but also including siblings who can often be left out when a family has a disabled child.”

Dexter will be competing alongside his friends from Southampton Children’s Hospital who have also received kidney transplants.

He will be taking part in the under 5 obstacle race, cup stacking and the 10m sprint.

The Southampton team need to raise £25k and so fundraising is essential.

Dexter’s nursery has run a sponsored scavenger hunt, but the toy sale is the next big event.

Mrs Clark added: “People around Caversham have been very supportive of Dexter raising money - his nursery has been amazing.

“The toy sale I hope will gain a lot of local attention as Dexter is quite well known in the community.”

Mrs Clark explained that Dexter is “very excited to be competing” and “is most looking forward to seeing his ‘kidney friends’ again and playing with his brothers”.

More about Dexter

Dexter’s mother explained more about his kidney transplant.

She said: “At a routine prenatal scan, Dexter’s kidney condition was detected but the severity of his condition wasn’t known until he was born.

“Pre-Transplant, he was very poorly. His kidney failure meant he was unable to eat and so was fed through a tube.

“We spent a lot of time in and out of hospital in Southampton for the first 3 years of his life, he was on multiple medications and pump fed milk overnight.

“We knew very early on his only chance at a normal life would be a kidney transplant and Brendan was keen to be the one to donate.

“It was a very difficult time, but as Dexter recovered from the surgery it was clear what a change to his life the new kidney had given him.

“Shortly after, he began to eat normally for the first time in his life. He started to grow, getting stronger and stronger until he was able to keep up with his brothers.”

If you would like to book a table for the toy sale contact emilylouiseclark@live.co.uk.