Boy, 4, who had double transplant meets donor’s family

Stacey, Riley and Leon

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A four-year-old boy from Rochdale who had a double transplant has met his donor’s parents in an emotional visit to Belfast.

Riley Greenwood suffered from a rare kidney condition and in November 2010 he had a kidney and liver transplant.

His organs came from 19-year-old Mark Elliot from Belfast who lost his life to meningitis.

Riley, his mum, Stacey, 23, and stepdad Leon Bamford, 22, visited Belfast at the weekend for the Westfield Health British Transplant Games and whilst there they met up with Mark Elliot’s parents, Joanne and Mark.

The family visited Mark’s grave and spent time with the Elliots in between the games.

Stacey said: “It was very emotional, I felt like I have known them forever. We laid flowers at Mark’s grave and his dad took us for a tour around Belfast and we visited their house.

“They were lovely; they kept saying don’t feel guilty.”

Over the weekend Riley, who will be 5 at the end of the month, competed in three events in the 0-5 age category of the transplant games. He won the gold medal in the obstacle course, gold in ball throwing and silver in the 25m track race. He also won a trophy for being the best boy in the 0-5 age category.

Stacey said it was “strange” to see Riley competing when 12 months ago he was waiting for the transplant.

Riley was part of the Manchester Children’s Team. The four day event consisted of an opening ceremony, a parade, the games, a gala dinner and an award ceremony.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/50865/double-transplant-is-best-christmas-present-ever 

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/44546/riley-3-needs-double-transplant