A MAN who survived transplant complications has beat the odds again.

Stephen Hancock, of Bootle, represented Great Britain at the recent World Transplant Games to bring home silver and bronze medals.

Mr Hancock was selected to compete at the international games, held in Newcastle and Gateshead last month, after his skills with a bow and arrow did not go unnoticed while competing at the British Transplant Games in Birmingham, last year.

He said: "I won silver in golf and bronze in archery, while Britain topped the medal table.

"The event was made up of teams from 59 countries, more than 2,300 people took part, all because of a special gift of a transplant."

It was only three years ago Mr Hancock was moments from death after his transplant.

He had a kidney transplant in 2016, and three days after the operation Mr Hancock had an extremely rare complication where he had a sudden, and still unexplained, cardiac arrest.

“There was a time when I was in the intensive care unit when I wasn't sure I'd ever leave hospital," said Mr Hancock.

"To have the honour of then being selected to represent my country, to meet and compete against some amazing people from around the world, and to honour my donor meant the absolute world to me.

"The games are one of few sporting organisations to be officially linked to the Olympics - at the opening ceremony Sir Craig Reedie spoke on behalf of the Olympic Committee President."

The Games will be shown on BBC One at 12.30 on Saturday.

Mr Hancock's success comes before Organ Donation Week, which starts today.

NHS Blood and Transplant are now urging people to talk to their families about organ donation to increase the number of people whose lives can be saved, or transformed, by an organ transplant.

In 2018, 31 Cumbrians had their lives saved by a transplant, but 42 people in Cumbria are waiting for that life-saving call.

Find out more by visiting NHS Organ Donor Register: www.organdonation.nhs.uk.