A SOUTH Lakeland woman will be heading to the World Transplant Games in Malaga this summer as a physio for Team GB.

Arnside resident Alison Bloxham, who owns Kendal Physiotherapy Centre, will be the lead physio for the GB squad at the biennial games which will be held in Spain in June.

A supporter of the Kendal Organ Donor Town initiative, it will not be the first time Ms Bloxham has attended the games. She has been supporting athletes at the event since 2001.

"It's extremely exciting, it's a fantastic event," she said. "There's somewhere in the region of 1,500 athletes, all of whom have had a life-saving organ transplant.

"They wouldn't be here without organ donations. They have a high level of drive to show off their expertise in their sport but also to live life to the fullest."

Ms Bloxham, 56, added she would be donning her Kendal Organ Donor Town clothing around the games when not on official duty giving her support to the scheme.

Kendal Organ Donor Town was launched last year by then town mayor Cllr Chris Hogg and his wife Rachel, as Mr Hogg donated a kidney to his wife who was suffering with a viral condition. It was launched to promote organ donation and has seen 811 people sign up as donors.

"I think it's a fantastic initiative," said Ms Bloxham. "It raises awareness locally of the importance of registering as a donor and I was happy to lend my full support to it.

"I have spent 16 years supporting the most amazing athletes who have been given a second chance at life so the fact that this is going on in Kendal makes it a fantastic privilege to be involved with it."

To find out more about Kendal Organ Donor Town and how to register, visit www.kendalorgandonortown.org.uk