BOLTON heart transplant swimmer Kelly Walmsley has produced a solid gold performance in the British Transplant Games.

The 18-year-old from Westhoughton, who was given a new heart when she was just 12, struck gold twice and completed a hat-trick of medals with one silver.

She won the 50m breast-stroke and 50m freestyle races, as well as coming second in the 100m freestyle event.

The Games took place on the Wirral and provided the ideal training ground for Kelly, who now has her sights firmly set on success in the World Transplant Games in Sydney, Australia, in September.

Kelly is one of three transplant recipients from Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, who have been selected to join the 80-strong squad which will compete Down Under. Since her operation, Kelly, who goes to college, has battled her way to full health and has won a fistful of gold medals for swimming in various competitions.

In the last World Transplant Games, held in Manchester, she scooped five golds, one silver and one bronze medal - having already won 10 golds in the previous British Transplant "Olympics".

At the last British Games in Cardiff, she won the 50m backstroke and a silver medal in the 100m freestyle and 100m breast-stroke events.

Kelly trains regularly with the Wigan School of Excellence Swimming Club and Wigan Wasps.

The New Heart-New Start appeal at Wythenshawe Hospital is now aiming to fulfil its Mission 2000 fundraising targets - to raise money for operations over and above those funded by the Government and to develop a dedicated transplant research programme.

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