A WORCESTER athlete, who battled with leukaemia 12 years ago, is all set to compete in this year’s British Transplant Games after being given a top-of-the -range bike by two local companies.

Steve Nyland, of Christine Avenue, Rushwick, is part of the Birmingham transplant team and will compete in two cycling events at the games which take place in Bath, Somerset.

The event, which starts today and runs until Sunday, is an Olympic-style event for all people who have undergone an organ transplant – including heart, kidney, liver and bone marrow.

Mr Nyland, aged 34, a sports science lecturer at Stourbridge College, West Midlands, received a bone marrow transplant after developing leukaemia at the age of 22.

The father-of-one is being sponsored by the Green Bike Company based in Bromyard Road, St John’s, Worcester, and Echelon, in Pershore, for the non-funded event.

The two cycle companies have built a brand new top-of-the-range road bicycle for him to ride in the 5km time trial and the 10km road race.

If Mr Nyland wins a medal he may be picked for the British team to compete at the World Transplant Games held in Sweden, in August next year.

He said: “It is amazing that these two companies have come to my aid during what is a difficult time for most businesses and are supporting me in what is a great cause.”

For more information, visit transplantsport.org.uk.