Yacht trip will support organ transplants

AN NHS Lothian director who swam the channel running between Greece and Turkey for charity is urging people to donate to a similar cause.

Allied health professions director Lynne Douglas undertook the 6km per day challenge towards the end of last year to raise both awareness and cash for organ transplants in the area.

She now wants Lothians residents to back a round-the-world yacht event on well-known vessel the Clipper.

For the first time, the team is allowing those who have benefited from transplants to come aboard, both to show affiliation with the cause but also to prove that a normal life can be lead after a transplant.

She said: "The yacht race sends out a really positive message on transplantation.

"For a start, the fact that transplantees can go on such a journey as active crew members shows how well people can recover."

And she added that such gruelling events were worthwhile.

"I had undertaken a lot of training in advance, but nothing quite prepares you for swimming in deep waters if you are nervous about it like me.

"It was a big mental and physical challenge."