Birmingham firms urged to sponsor young transplant swimmer heading for World Games

The family of a young Birmingham swimmer who received a liver transplant are calling on local businesses to help fund his place representing Great Britain at the World Transplant Games.

Elijah Lockley (pictured) was diagnosed with biliary atresia at the age of 4, a rare and serious congenital liver disease.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital performed surgery to preserve his own liver for as long as possible, giving him additional years before a transplant became necessary. By March 2019, aged just eight, Elijah’s health was deteriorating.

He was placed on the liver transplant waiting list, and doctors had discovered three tumours throughout his diseased liver.

Following his liver transplant in February 2020, Elijah was given a new lease of life. With renewed health, energy and determination, he began swimming for Boldmere, while also representing Birmingham at the British Transplant Games.

He has been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Transplant Games in Belgium in August 2027.

To help Elijah fulfil his dream of competing at the World Transplant Games, his parents are aiming to raise £6,000 to cover the costs associated with participation, including travel, accommodation, event fees and training.

Sponsors will receive recognition across Elijah's social media platforms throughout his World Transplant Games journey, the company logo featured on sponsorship acknowledgements and promotional materials where appropriate and a personalised thank-you from Elijah.

They will also receive a pre-Games report detailing his preparation, journey, and goal, together with a post-Games report summarising his experience, achievements, and reflections, suitable for sharing in internal communications, newsletters or staff briefings.

The World Transplant Games celebrate the success of transplantation, promote awareness of organ donation, and showcase the incredible achievements of transplant recipients from around the world.

Elijah’s mother, Lisa Lockley, said: “For much of Elijah’s life, his future has been uncertain. The eleven months he spent waiting for a liver transplant were an incredibly difficult and emotional time for our family.

“The transformation we have witnessed since he received the gift of a new liver has been nothing short of miraculous.

“To see him now, healthy, happy and full of vitality, with the opportunity to represent Great Britain on the world stage at the World Transplant Games in Belgium in 2027, is something we could scarcely have imagined during those darkest days.

“For us, this opportunity represents everything that organ donation makes possible. It saved our son, it saved our family, and it has given Elijah something we once feared he might never have: a future filled with possibilities.

“Taking part in the Games is entirely self-funded, and we know that reaching Belgium is not something we can achieve alone. We are therefore inviting businesses and organisations to become part of Elijah’s journey through sponsorship.

“By supporting him, they will not only be helping a young athlete fulfil an extraordinary ambition, but also helping us share a powerful message about the life-changing impact of organ donation.

“We would love businesses to be part of this journey and help Elijah show just how much is possible when someone is given the gift of life.

“By sponsoring Elijah, your business will not only be supporting a remarkable young athlete who has overcome significant health challenges but will also benefit from positive recognition through our fundraising campaign, social media platforms and wider community network, including social media.

“We would be delighted to work with sponsors to ensure their support is recognised and shared with a wide audience, including customers, employees, stakeholders and the wider community.”