A SEVEN-year-old boy who received a kidney from his dad is set to go for gold at a national competition.

Mason Read was diagnosed with posterior urethral valves [PUV] when he was born.

He spent most of his young life on dialysis, before receiving a kidney from his dad Lawrence in 2017.

Now, Mason is representing Southampton as one of the competitors at the British Transplant Games.

A team of 11 youngsters who have all received transplants at Southampton Children’s Hospital has been representing the Southampton team.

The event runs from Thursday until Sunday is taking place in Leeds.

It is expected to attract more than 850 athletes who will compete in a range of sporting events including track and field, fishing, badminton and volleyball.

The competitors, aged between three and 14, have all received life-saving treatment at Southampton Children’s Hospital’s specialist nephrology unit, which treats young people with acute and chronic kidney disease and cares for around seven transplant patients a year before and after surgery.

They make up ‘Team Southampton’ and have been joined by parents, siblings and staff who will be among the 1,700 strong supporters set to take in the games, which are organised by charity Transplant Sport.

Lawrence, who accompanied his son to the games, said “Mason is super excited to compete in this year's British Transplant Games, especially after the delay due to Covid-19.

"It’s a great week for the families that have had tough journeys."

It costs approximately £1,000 to send a child to the games and the team’s entry has been made possible through the support of Southampton Hospitals Charity and Kidney Care UK.

Katie Hart, clinical nurse specialist in paediatric nephrology at Southampton Children’s Hospital, said: “We’re delighted to be able to enter a team into the British Transplant Games once again, especially after a three-year break because of Covid.

“It’s such a fantastic event that brings young patients and families together to do something that is so much fun and at the same time rewarding. This year we are a 52-strong team made up of our patients, their families and staff.”