Andrew, 16, received a live-saving kidney transplant in 2005 at the Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital and now he is ready to compete in Australia’s most inspirational sporting event.

Transplant Australia will stage the Australian Transplant Games from September 24 to October 1 in western Sydney to promote the benefits of donation and transplantation, and help transplant recipients strive towards improved health and fitness.

Andrew has taken a keen interest in sport since his transplant and regularly plays for various Leeton shire teams across a number of codes. 

Transplant Australia chief executive officer Chris Thomas described the games as being a unifying event for those that have received a transplant and their families. 

“For recipients, participation is a way of saying ‘thanks’ to their donor families,” he said.

“For donor families, it’s a way to honour their loved one’s gift of life.

“Transplant recipients come from all over the country to take part.

“Our athletes demonstrate living proof that transplantation saves lives.”

“What’s more, it allows them a quality of life they might not have experienced for years.

“They can start a family, play sport, get back into the workforce – all because of the generosity of someone else.”