Matthew, 3.5, takes gold in transplant Olympics

THREE-YEAR-OLD Matthew Reynolds, of Garston, who was born with a heart defect, has won two medals in transplant patients' equivalent of the Olympic Games.

Matthew, of The Gossamers, won gold in the under-fives' obstacle race and bronze in the under-fives' 50m sprint at the Transplant Games, which took place in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, between last Thursday and Sunday.

His parents, Heather and David, were delighted with Matthew's first performance at the event held from Thursday, July 27 to Sunday, July 30, at Gateshead Stadium and other venues in the area.

His father, Mr David Reynolds, said: 'He absolutely loved it. We felt very proud and it was really nice for Matthew to meet other children who have been through the same thing and a great boost to his confidence.'

Matthew was born with cardiomyopathy, a chronic disease of the heart muscle.

Mr Reynolds said: 'Matthew had a minor operation on his heart at three days old. When he was three months old, doctors told us he needed a heart transplant.'

Matthew had the transplant at the Royal Brompton Hospital and has regular check-ups at Harefield Hospital.

Mr Reynolds said: 'The transplant has been absolutely brilliant but Matthew has a few health problems because the medication he takes to protect his new heart can affect the immune system.

'We have to be careful - for example, he shouldn't swim in the sea.

'Apart from that he's superb - like any other three-year-old, he's very lively.'

Matthew's mother, Mrs Heather Reynolds, who manages the Meriden Chip Inn in The Gossamers, said special thanks were due to the chip shop's owner, Mr Donald Langford.

Mr Reynolds explained: 'He gave us £200 towards our trip to Newcastle so we could have a good time while we were there. We are very grateful to him.'

Matthew was among 19 patients at the games aged 15 and younger who had been treated at Harefield Hospital - they won 26 medals between them. There were 206 children competing in the games.

Mr Tom Harvey, 57, of Westfield Avenue, Watford, who had a heart transplant five years ago, won silver medal in the shot putt in the adult games, in which 456 competed.