Photo (NIKKI GRIFFIN): VNG110814-10
Just a year after almost dying and six months after a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant, inspirational Sam Newton is a double gold medallist.
The 34-year-old made a remarkable recovery to earn individual success in archery and team glory in volleyball at the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Bolton.
Sam, of Spalding, has vowed to write to the family of the deceased donor to whom he owes his life.
“It’s down to the donor that I’m alive and could actually do it,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that someone had to die to enable this but I’m hoping news of my success might serve as some sort of comfort to the donor’s family.”
Sam’s golds came on consecutive days last week, representing Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, where he underwent surgery on February 9.
In the archery event on Thursday it was far from ideal preparation for him when he found himself running late due to a time change.
A hurried practice session led to a shaky start but Sam shot a score of 174 out of 180, to win by some margin.
The following day in the volleyball competition, tired Sam was forced to substitute himself in the final group game after pushing his body a little too hard and suffering a stomach injury. However, he returned for the final to help the team sweep aside Nottingham/Leicester 25-18.
Jubilant Sam, who is a member of Spalding’s Silver Spoon Bowmen archery club, said: “I feel really proud at what I’ve achieved.
“Unfortunately archery is not included in the World Transplant Games, but I might campaign for that to change.”
For now, the next challenge is to find a job. Sam was forced to give up youth work in July due to his failing health, but says he is ready and willing to do any non-manual job.
He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of three and then as having kidney disease in 2002.
