A Bognor Regis man who came close to dying will join hundreds of transplant athletes to compete in the British Transplant Games this week.

Jim Cullen was diagnosed with End Stage Liver Disease at 60, which resulted in him requiring a life-saving liver transplant.

Liver disease is now one of the most common causes of death in England. 37% of all liver disease is Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), with a 28% of all transplants for ALD. Jim’s liver disease was alcohol-related, and he was one of the 28%.

At the Transplant Games Jim is aiming to improve on his performance last year, when he brought home the bronze medal for table tennis. He said: “The games are an opportunity to join others from several months of age to over 70 years old who, like me, were given a second chance of life thanks to the selfless act of another human being and their family.”

The four-day annual sporting event, which begins on 2nd August in Birmingham, is expected to attract more than 800 children and adults from across the UK who will compete in a range of events including athletics, cycling and football.