Golden boy Matthew's on cue for Games

12:00pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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TEENAGER Matthew Fairs is going for gold this summer.

Matthew, 17, from Penhill, had a life-saving heart transplant five years ago.

And now this summer he is again cueing up to compete in the British Transplant Games.

The youngster picked up the top prize for snooker in last year’s Games, held in Edinburgh.

“This will be my fourth year of competition,” he said.

“There are all sorts of events but snooker is my main event.

“I’m really focused on them and always give my best.

“I’d love to win another gold medal and I’m just going to try my best.”

Matthew was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma when he was three, then was diagnosed with heart defect cardiomyopathy, which slowly deteriorated his heart.

In desperate need for a heart transplant, Matthew was then told he would have to have nine blood clots removed before he could have a new heart.

He eventually had an operation in December 2003, spending Christmas in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Matthew’s fighting spirit and will to play sport saw him overcome his struggles and jump at the opportunity to take part in the Games.

Matthew said: “A couple of weeks after my transplant I was asked if I wanted to take part in the games and I said yes.

“And I’ve done them ever since. I’m really looking forward to the games this year.”

Matthew will head to Sheffield the day before the games begin to get in some last-minute training and will be joined by his mum Angela and sister Vicky.

Angela said: “Last year six people took part in the snooker.

“Matty had some really hard games.

“It went right down to the last ball and every shot I was like ‘don’t look, don’t look!’ “I was really nervous but he did ever so well. It was the first year he did snooker so I was very proud.”

Before his transplant Matthew was bound to a wheelchair as his condition made it difficult to walk.

Angela said: “There was so much that he wanted to do and now he can do it. Last year he went in a hot air balloon.

“I remember visiting Matthew in the week after his operation and we expected to still see him wired up. But he was off the machines and up on his feet.”

Matthew said: “I’m the type of person who just always wants to keep fit.

“I really enjoy the games and I’d say to anyone who has had a transplant to just go for it.

“They’re so much fun.”