LOCAL woman, Christine Hakeney, has retained her gold medal at this year’s British Transplant Games and picked up two silver medals as well.
Christine received a kidney transplant 11 years ago from her sister Angie after inheriting polycystic kidney disease from her father, who died of the disease. This was her second time entering the games and last year, Christine won gold in the 400m sprint, silver in the 100m sprint and bronze in the 200m sprint.
This year, she retained her gold medal in the 400m sprint, once again won silver in the 100m sprint and won silver in the 800m, a race she hasn’t competed in before.
Christine said, “I’m very happy with how the games went – it was an amazing experience. My eldest daughter, Leanne, and myself flew up to Glasgow for the games. I was a bit unsure if I’d even be able to run very well as I’d been training hard but picked up a foot injury a couple of weeks prior to the games. I wouldn’t have pulled out though because the people involved with the games are all such a huge inspiration and have overcome so much, so I’d give it my best any way. I was taped up and helped by an amazing team of physiotherapists who help at all the events.
“Even though I had an injury, I was so delighted to retain my title of winning the gold medal for the 400m and the two silver medals.
“I’m already looking forward to the games in Birmingham next summer. It’s a fantastic way of raising awareness of organ donation.”
