A TEENAGER who has had two organ transplants has struck gold in a competition.

Ivan Leyland, who lives in St Helens, had a liver transplant as a baby.

He then had a small bowel transplant at the age of eight.

The 15-year-old, who receives regular care at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, has won a gold medal in the British Transplant Games in Birmingham in a wheelchair race.

Ivan had both of his transplant operations at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and it part of their team.

At the games, he also took part in archery, the ball throw event and the 3k donor run.

He lives with his guardian parents Duncan and Darrell Prescott.

Darrell said: “It is great to see what a child can do after getting organs given to him which is the greatest gift you can get.

“Ivan has been in the team for five years and loves being a part of it.

“There are about 70 members in the team and he has made lots of friends since being involved.

“It is really good to see other kids who have gone through the same type of experience as Ivan and then seeing their condition improve.

“He had a great time at the games.

“It was four days of fun and he loved every minute of it.”

Duncan also done the donor run with Ivan.

The Mill Green School pupil, who is due to have hip operation in October, also suffers with cerebral palsy and needs to wear hearing aids.

He is committed to raising awareness of organ donation.

Darrell added: “Ivan did the donor run in his wheelchair to promote organ donation.

“Without people registering Ivan would not be alive now- nevermind competing in the games.”

Darrell says she is not aware who donated the liver to Ivan when he was a baby.

She has been provided some details of the identity of the person who donated the small bowel to him seven years ago.

For more information about the organ donation register click here.