TRANSPLANT survivor Robert Hodgkiss added another four gold medals to his trophy cabinet at the European Transplant Games last month, 20 years after being given the gift of life.

The dad of two, from Bolton, was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy in June 1996 after suffering a heart attack and a mini-stroke.

He underwent heart transplant surgery at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle on July 27, 1996 and was discharged in August, just before his daughter Bethany's first birthday.

Life for Robert, who was head boy at Turton High School and went on to train as a dentist at Newcastle University, has not been easy since he was given a second shot.

He continues to have three-monthly check-ups in Newcastle and will take immunosupressive drugs for the rest of his life.

Hand tremors are a side-effect of those drugs, meaning Robert had to quit his career as a dentist.

But he has retrained and now works as a palliative care physiotherapist at Bolton Hospice, while his family has grown, with son Adam currently studying for his A Levels at Turton.

And despite his medical problems, Robert has refused to give up on his sport.

"I always did sport when I was younger, whether it be school swimming, athletics, cross country or volleyball," he said.

"I also competed for Bolton Harriers.

"Post transplant, I was determined not to give up on that, and I have found a whole new sporting life in the transplant games."

Robert has competed in numerous British Transplant Games, taking part in the event in his hometown two years ago.

He also took part in the World Transplant Games in Hungary in 1999.

The physio has picked up a horde of medals along the way, with the latest coming at the European Heart and Lung Transplant Games in Helsinki, Finland, where Robert won swimming gold in the 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 4x50m freestyle relay, as well as bronze in the 100m on the track.

His exploits helped Great Britain top the medal table with 71 medals, including 41 gold.

But while he competed with a smile on his face, Robert admits he could not help reflecting on the donor that made his sporting achievements possible.

"Twenty years ago someone died and their family made the brave decision to donate the organs, so I could have the last 20 years to see my family grow up," he said.

"The main aim of the games is to promote the need for people to sign up to the organ donor register.

"When I went in for my surgery there were three people in hospital awaiting a transplant.

"Two of us got a transplant but one lady died.

"Even now, 20 years later, one in three still die on the waiting list.

"I've been lucky enough to get my chance, but thousands of people are still on the waiting list with hundreds dying each year."