TRANSPLANT games medallist Steve Deakin has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

The 47-year-old had kidney transplants in 1984 and 1990 and has received the award after years of raising awareness of the opportunities available to transplant recipients.

In June he took part in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, in San Francisco, swimming for more than 25 minutes in shark infested ice cold water. He also went on to swim the English channel for a second time in 14h 15m.

Steve, who has had both feet amputated, said: “It felt absolutely magnificent to receive the award. Gobsmacked I would say.”

A father-of-three children and two step-children, Steve has competed in the transplant games since 1985. He won five medals for swimming, canoeing and squash at the national transplant games in Sheffield last year.

“I’ve done so much but if anything my greatest achievement is being a dad.”

The Great Sankey athlete will receive his award from the Queen at St James’ Palace later this year, but will be making a trip to London next week having been nominated for an Excellence Award through his work for the Department for Work and Pensions.

In August he will captain both the Great Britain swim team at the World Transplant Games in Australia, and the Liverpool Transplant Team at the national games in Coventry in July.

“I just want to carry on what I’m doing, enjoy life and most importantly promote the need for organ donation.”

You can sponsor Steve’s trip to Australia by visiting justgiving.com/stevedeakin1