A NATIONAL sporting event for people undergoing treatment for kidney failure will take place in the city in September, it has been announced.

The York founder of the Dialysis Games, Mark Hallam, has announced the event will take place on September 21 at York Sport Village.

So far teams have signed up from across the North of the UK, including Leeds, Hull, Manchester, Scotland and individuals from London and Wales.

Mark, who himself has daily dialysis at his home in Clifton, is urging people from hospital renal units across England to get involved.

He set up the event as he wanted dialysis patients to have a goal.

Mark said: “You can feel that you are told to ‘stay with that machine and wait for the call for a transplant’.

“It’s not the end of the world to have kidney problems, you have to make adjustments but it’s not the end. For too long people have been thinking ‘it’s the end of my life’.

“I want to generate some heroes.”

He has encouraged people to take part as he said it is important to stay as fit as possible when waiting for a transplant.

The Games are due to include athletics, darts, archery and a long-distance run and participants have been invited to suggest other events they want to see.

A series of fundraising efforts have been held to support the Games, with a collection in York Hospital raising £500.

It is hoped the event will also include a fun fair area for children and a relaxation area for carers.

Volunteers are being sought for the day, please phone 07918670645 if you can help.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ikidneylife