A LEOMINSTER teenager who underwent a life-saving liver transplant seven years ago is set to fly the flag for her country at the World Transplant Games this month.

Kiera Jackson, 14, will be part of the 200-strong Great Britain and Northern Ireland Team at the games which are taking place in Malaga, Spain, competing in the badminton section.

A pupil at Earl Mortimer College, Kiera has been helped on her way by parents, Mark and Lucy, and members of the Leominster community who have donated several thousand pounds to make sure she can meet the costs of taking part.

She said: "I am very proud to have been chosen to represent my country and to

spread awareness for the need of organ donor registration."

Kiera was just seven when she contracted a virus which attacked her liver and was put on the urgent transplant list.

A match was found and she received the ultimate gift during an eight-hour operation in Birmingham.

Mum Lucy Jackson, 35, said: "Seeing your daughter deteriorate within days - she had to go to intensive care the night before the transplant - it was surreal waiting for somebody to die to keep your child alive. It was awful.

"And then she had a few other things wrong with her after that but she bounced back."

The World Transplant Games, take place every two years, and are supported by the International Olympic Committee. It represents the largest organ donor awareness event in the world, featuring a week of 17 sporting events.

Although she competes in several different events at the British Games, which she has taken part in several times, she will focus on badminton for her first World Games.

Lucy said: "She is actually the youngest to be competing. Kiera is very laid-back. I think she does get a little bit nervous beforehand but at the moment she is taking it all in her stride. We are very proud of her."

Kiera's family had to raise several thousand pounds in order for her to compete in the games.

They organised the Kiera Leominster Challenge (KLC) which saw 20 teams of 10 dress up in fancy dress from an assigned country and complete challenges at various pubs in Leominster. The event, combined with a charity bingo, raised around £5,500.

Lucy added: "We are just so proud of Leominster and so privileged everybody cares about her and wants to see her do well and are helping to get her there. It's overwhelming how everybody came together to support her."

To register on the NHS Organ Donor Register, call 0300 123 23 23, or go to organdonation.nhs.uk