They may not have attracted as many headlines as the Olympics and Paralympics but the UK Transplant Games meant just as much to those competing and for those watching their loved ones from the sidelines.

Now approaching its 40th year, the event gives an opportunity for those who have had an organ transplant to compete and show just how critical a lifeline organ-donation is.

This year’s event took place in Liverpool and involved competitors of all ages coming together to celebrate the gift of life and sporting excellence.

The brainchild of transplant surgeon Maurice Slapak, back in 1978, the Games offer ordinary people the opportunity to do extraordinary things. Take Nick Condon as an example. He was given just six months to live back in 2008 after suffering from Cystic Fibrosis all his life. Now, after a double lung transplant he’s one of the stars of the Games, and a man capable of running 200m in just 27 seconds.

With this kind of inspirational tale retold on an annual basis, it’s little wonder that this is an event which continues to capture the imagination whenever and wherever it’s held.