A man from Dilton Marsh is set to represent England at the 2026 Transplant Football World Cup after receiving a life-saving transplant.
Ryan Child, events manager for Westbury Town Council, has been selected for the England team competing at the tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, from 13th to 18th September.
Ryan is involved in organising several popular local events, including Westbury Chilli Fest, the White Horse Soapbox Derby and the Heywood Literary Festival.
The tournament is organised by the World Transplant Games Federation and brings together organ transplant recipients from around the world.
Ryan’s selection follows a difficult battle with end-stage kidney disease. He was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, at the age of 29.
His kidney function fell rapidly, from 73% to 30% in September 2020, before reaching just 13% by Christmas that year.
At the time, Ryan was working full-time, caring for his newborn daughter and managing a local football team. He underwent peritoneal dialysis at home, including four exchanges a day, before receiving a kidney transplant from a deceased donor.
“When I was on dialysis, there were days I couldn’t even lift my newborn daughter, but football kept me going,” said Ryan.
“Receiving a transplant gave me my life back, and to go from sitting hooked up to a machine to representing my country on the pitch is incredible.”
Ryan has since recovered and returned to his role at the centre of Westbury’s community life.
He will be supported during the tournament by Westbury business Hire Standards, which has become his official player sponsor.
Ryan said, “Being selected to represent England at the Transplant Football World Cup is an absolute honour.
“I’m also hugely grateful to Hire Standards for coming on board as my sponsor. Having local support from a Westbury business means the world to me as I prepare for the tournament.”
More information about Ryan’s story is available from Kidney Care UK at kidneycareuk.org/kidney-disease-information/your-stories/ryans-story/.
Details of the 2026 Transplant Football World Cup are available from the World Transplant Games Federation at wtgf.org/2026-transplant-football-world-cup/.
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