A grandmother who underwent a lifesaving kidney transplant has returned home with five world championship medals.

Sandie Tiley, 64, of Cliff Road, went to Argentina for the World Transplant Games and won gold in the 5km road race, 3km race walk and 400m in the 60 to 69 age category.

She also won two silver medals in the 100m and 200m.

She said: “Argentina was just amazing and I was grateful to be able to do it.

“I trained hard all year, and my doctor and all the family are happy with how well and fit I am.

“To be able to do this is close to my heart because kidney trouble is hereditary in our family and my eldest daughter Gaynor is awaiting a transplant.

“The games have been absolutely positive and it makes my kids and grandkids excited to see what can be done after the transplant.”

“I remember getting the call to go in and have the transplant while I was sitting asleep in the back of the car and my family were shopping, I just didn’t have the energy to get out..." - Sandie Tiley

Sandie was donated a kidney by her friend 10 years ago. She said: “My dad died in his 50s when there wasn’t so much known about it.

“I found out I had problems when I was 22 and since then, as a family, we have had to look out for it.

“I remember getting the call to go in and have the transplant while I was sitting asleep in the back of the car and my family were shopping, I just didn’t have the energy to get out.

“I had the transplant just in time before becoming really ill – before I was called in I could hardly walk up the stairs.

“Now I train every week along the seafront in Birchington and I’m part of the Invicta sprint squad in Canterbury.”

The grandmother-of-five has been competing for the past eight years and has tried her hand at many events.

She said: “I’ve gradually been trying to do other stuff. I gave shotput a go and other events, but when I started I just did the walk at the British Games.

“It’s taken quite a few years to get competitive, but being up against people from 44 different countries was such an amazing experience.

“To be able to raise organ awareness by sharing my story and giving hope to other people, whilst urging others to join the NHS organ donor register makes all the hard training worthwhile.”

As part of Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Sandie was one of 800 transplant athletes from 44 countries.