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News • July 31st, 2026
|A Sheffield great-grandfather, Mick Royles, is celebrating a remarkable milestone: 25 years since his life-saving heart transplant. This significant anniversary comes just ahead of the British Transplant Games, which are set to take place in Sheffield from 6 to 9 August 2026. The Games will welcome over 2,800 participants from across the UK, showcasing the importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on people's lives.
Mick's Journey
Mick, now aged 82, has faced serious heart problems for decades. He experienced his first heart attack at just 28 years old, followed by two more at 34 and 35. After several medical procedures, including bypass surgery, he was placed on the transplant waiting list for 18 months. During this time, he received three calls about potential donor matches, but the operations did not go ahead until the third call. Finally, on that fateful day in 2001, Mick received a new heart at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. Reflecting on the day after his surgery, Mick shared, “When I woke up, I knew they had done it because I felt warm and cosy. I was in intensive care with a lot of lines attached to me, but that feeling of being warm again was something I noticed straight away.” He was told later that if he hadn’t received the transplant soon, he might have been removed from the waiting list due to his poor health condition.
A New Lease of Life
Before the transplant, Mick was extremely unwell, struggling to walk, feeling cold all the time, and had lost a significant amount of weight. The transplant not only saved his life but also transformed it. “If you had seen me the day before my transplant and then again a week later, you would not have believed I was the same person,” he remarked. Since then, Mick has faced other health challenges, including bowel cancer and surgery to remove part of a lung. Nevertheless, he remains active, enjoying walks and playing crown green bowls. He continues to have regular check-ups, including blood tests every six weeks and more detailed tests every six months. “The follow-up care has been excellent, and the hospital staff could not do any more for me,” Mick said. Despite experiencing side effects from the medication he takes, he considers these minor compared to the gift of life he has received. “I’m reasonably fit, I go walking and play crown green bowls. I might get out of breath occasionally, but I feel like an 82-year-old man with the usual aches and pains,” he added.
Family and Community
One of the greatest joys for Mick has been the time he has been able to spend with his family. He frequently attends Sheffield United matches at Bramall Lane with his son, Paul, and two of his grandchildren. Mick expressed his gratitude, saying, “The transplant gave me the opportunity to see more grandchildren arrive, and now I’m watching my great-grandchildren grow up. My family have loved having these extra years with me, and I have loved every minute of them.” Mick's son, Ian, is also making a difference in the community as a member of the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding Freemasons, which is sponsoring the volunteer programme at the upcoming British Transplant Games. Ian is looking forward to being part of the volunteering team for this important event.
The Importance of Organ Donation
The British Transplant Games aim to celebrate the achievements of transplant recipients and raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. More than 2,500 competitors, including over 1,000 transplant recipients, living donors, and family members of donors, will participate in various sports during the event. Mick hopes that the Games will inspire more people in Sheffield and beyond to discuss organ donation with their loved ones. He strongly believes in the importance of making one's wishes known. “Organ donation is incredibly important because, without it, I would not be here today. All of my family are registered organ donors because we have seen the difference a transplant can make,” he stated. He encourages everyone to talk to their families about organ donation, saying, “It could give another person the opportunity to enjoy years of life they otherwise would not have had.” For those interested in learning more about the British Transplant Games, further details can be found at www.transplantactive.co.uk. For information on organ donation or to register as a donor, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
