An 11-year-old girl from Walmer is one of 18 youngsters from the UK chosen to attend an international ski camp for organ transplant children.

Nadine Guest, of The Conifers, suffers from a condition called congenital nephrotic disease, which meant she needed a kidney transplant at the age of two.

This weekend, she will be one of 50 organ transplant children aged seven to 17 from across the globe to travel to the village of Anzere in the mountains of Switzerland, to enjoy a week fun at a ski and snowboard camp.

The trip, organised by Transplant Adventure Camps for Kids, offers the opportunity for youngsters to celebrate their second chance of life, showing just how fit and well they are after life-saving transplant surgery, and at the same time highlighting the importance of organ donation.

Nadine, formerly of Sholden Primary School but who now attends The Beacon in Folkestone, said: “I am looking forward to making angels in the snow.”

The break will also be a chance for her to make new friends with children from 12 different countries including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Nadine’s parents, Bob and Adele Guest, will also be travelling to the slopes to watch their daughter.

Mr Guest said: “We took Nadine to Scotland last February half-term and she had two lessons up the slopes there.

“We were worried watching her but she absolutely loved it.

“Every time she fell over she just laughed. After a couple of lessons she was zooming down there. She’s got no fear.

“We’re very excited for her.”

Nadine was nominated to go on the trip. Mr and Mrs Guest think the nomination came from her previous consultant, who has now retired.

Despite her condition, Nadine keeps active and has competed in the British Transplant Games almost every year since she was three.

Last year, she won a gold medal in the team tug-of-war, a silver for table tennis and bronze for ball throwing.

She will travel to North Lanarkshire in Scotland to compete in the games again in July.

Lynne Holt, head nurse co-ordinating the international team caring for the children, said: “All of these children have experienced near-death situations and long periods of illness.

“Without the gift of life they simply would not be here today.

“They have already climbed a mountain in their battle for life, and with their courage and determination, now they will enjoy the thrills of ski-ing down the mountains in Switzerland.

“Life is very precious and as there is a desperate shortage of organs internationally, we do hope that seeing these amazing youngsters will encourage people to talk to their families about organ donation.”