Bexhill College Sports Centre Manager Lewis Peppiatt delivered a five-star performance at the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships in Arnhem, Netherlands, winning five medals in the swimming competition.
Lewis struck gold in both the 50m and 100m Backstroke events, added silver medals in the 400m Freestyle and 100m Individual Medley, and completed his medal haul with bronze in the 50m Butterfly.
The European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships, commonly known as the European Transplant Games, bring together transplant recipients, living donors, dialysis patients and donor families from across Europe. The event celebrates the success of organ transplantation while raising awareness of the ongoing need for organ donors.
Held every two years, the Games feature a wide range of sporting competitions, including swimming, athletics, cycling, badminton and golf. Alongside the sporting action, the event promotes conversations about organ donation and highlights how transplantation can transform lives.
Lewis became involved in transplant sport following his own transplant journey. He initially competed for Brighton Adults of the Sussex Kidney Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in the British Transplant Games before being selected to represent Team GB at both European and World Transplant Games competitions.
Reflecting on his success, Lewis said:
“The experience was incredibly rewarding, not only because of the sporting achievements but also because of the opportunity to meet and compete alongside other transplant recipients from across Europe. The event serves as a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of organ donation and the opportunities that transplantation can provide.”
Looking ahead, Lewis will compete at the British Transplant Games in Sheffield in August 2026, where he will once again represent his transplant team in a range of swimming events.
He hopes to continue competing at the highest level of transplant sport and to earn selection for Team GB at the next World Transplant Games in Leuven, Belgium.
“These events not only provide an opportunity to pursue sporting goals, but also help raise awareness of the importance of organ donation and encourage others to consider becoming donors,” Lewis added.
