Wigan transplant athlete prepares to take the plunge with charity skydive

Paul Reynolds, from Goose Green, will leap from a plane thousands of feet above the North West to support Kidneys For Life.
Paul Reynolds with daughter LaylaPaul Reynolds with daughter Layla
Paul Reynolds with daughter Layla

Paul said he wanted to support the charity as it assisted the Manchester teams at the British Transplant Games and the Great Britain team at the World Transplant Games when he was part of them.

He said it also does a huge amount of good work for people who have had replacement organs and their families.

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That is why he will try to put his fear of heights on one side and take on the white-knuckle parachute plunge in April to raise hundreds of pounds.

Paul suffered kidney failure after being diagnosed with rare condition IgA nephropathy and received a kidney from his sister Catherine.

He said: “I really wanted to give something back to Kidneys for Life.

“When I was on the Manchester team for the British Transplant Games they helped us out and they gave us a substantial amount when we went to Argentina in 2015. Without that we might not have been able to go.

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“They also do a lot of research into kidney disease and they really help out the kids who have transplants and their parents. It’s a really worthwhile charity.

“I was going to do a skydive years ago when a couple of people from work did one but my doctors said no.

“I just saw this one and thought I would give it a go, even though I will be frightened to death.

“I decided that if I didn’t do it now I will never do it.”

Paul originally planned to do the skydive in 2019 but the event has been delayed until later this year, which will also mark the ninth anniversary of him receiving his donated kidney.

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He has already raised around £500 for the charity in two separate stages but has now extended his target.

Since undergoing his transplant operation in 2012 at Manchester Royal Infirmary Paul has represented Great Britain at two World Transplant Games, taken part in four triathlons and done various cycling events to support charities.

He is currently shielding and says he is looking forward to leisure centres reopening so he can begin swimming again.

To find out more or donate search for KFL Skydive 2021 at Virgin Money Giving.

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