A father who donated part of his liver to his daughter will both take part in the British Transplant Games over the next four days.

Sadhbh Browne, now eight-and-a-half, is “bursting with excitement” at the prospect of competing for the first time as part of a 36-strong Team Ireland.

She and dad Paddy from Mountbellew are eligible to take part as they underwent the living donation operation at St King’s Hospital in London in July 2019.

The Briarfield National School student looks like any other third class pupil, with no outward signs of the massive medical trauma she has endured throughout her short life.

Sadhbh was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia shortly after she was born and underwent major surgery to drain bile from her liver. It worked well until she reached three years old when an infection caused severe liver damage and she was placed on the liver transplant list.

After initially being rejected as a suitable living donor, Paddy was accepted onto the programme and his operation went smoothly. However, his daughter experienced serious complications and is regarded as a miracle for having pulled through.

In total Transplant Sport Ireland has 26 transplanted adults, five transplanted underage athletes, and three living donors competing making it the largest ever Irish team to compete at these Games.

Joining them for part of the Games that run until this Sunday will be mum Deirdre Lyons and their new baby Aisling.

Photo: Sadhbh Browne.

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