A GRANDMOTHER given a second chance at life has grabbed it with both hands ...by running and walking her way to five gold medals.

Joan Bell, 64, picked up the medals at the World Transplant Games in Gothenburg, Sweden, after having a kidney transplant in 1998.

She has managed to compete in the games and the British equivalent every year since 2001, and says she never thought about giving up, despite being diagnosed with kidney disease at 45, and facing a two-year wait for a donor.

Mrs Bell, of St Charles Drive, Wickford, said: “I never let a negative thought come into my mind while I was waiting. After being given a second chance at life, I intend to take it in two hands and make the most of it.”

Mrs Bell claimed golds in the 3km mini-marathon, 3km race walk and 400m, 800m and 1500m events. But after winning so many medals down the years, she admits she’s losing count.

She said: “I had always competed in badminton events because I had played at league level in the sport for years, but I dislocated my shoulder last year and was unable to do it any more. My trainer David Bland said I should look into running. I never thought I would do this well, though.”

Before a suitable donor was found, Mrs Bell spent two years on dialysis at Southend Hospital, and now she lives with only one kidney.

Her father and sister both suffered from kidney problems.

Mrs Bell added: “I would urge everyone to become a donor because it is an amazing gift.”

She added: “I have worked quite hard and want to say a big thank you to my trainer for helping me so much.”

l If you would like to find out more about organ donation, log on to www.organdonation.nhs.uk