By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 12:25, Friday, 06 July 2012

A keen sportsman could be mingling with some of the world’s top athletes, as he prepares to head to the Paralympics.

Daymon Johnstone

Daymon Johnstone, from Seaton, has been awarded a coveted volunteer role as a games maker at this summer’s sporting event in London.

The 22-year-old had a kidney transplant just before his sixth birthday, and had been a medal winner himself after taking part in the British Transplant Games for many years.

He was forced to stop sports though in 2007 after seriously injuring his knee.

“[At the games] I would be responsible for checking all the schedules and making sure the teams know when they’ve got a practice session or are competing,” he enthused.

“As a sports fanatic I am really excited for this opportunity. I love my sports, but I particularly enjoy helping those with disabilities get into sports.”

Volunteering roles at the Olympics and Paralympics in London this summer have been hugely sought after, and so Daymon knows how fortunate he’s been.

He explained: “As soon as I heard we had won the bid to host this year’s games, I had to be part of it some how.

“As the years went on I kept checking online to see when I could register – I checked everyday, even though I had signed up to be informed when applications were being taken.

“As soon as applications opened, I was probably one of the first 3,000 to apply!”

Speed was not enough though, as Daymon had an interview in October, followed by detailed security checks.

Even then there was no guarantee, and he was told if he had not heard by the end of June then he was to assume he had been unsuccessful.

“As the last week of June was approaching I started to look for other options to help with summer sports in Cumbria,” he recalled. “Then on the last Tuesday of June I was told I had been selected to be a games maker. I am so excited!”

Daymon is particularly keen to meet Oscar Pistorius, known as the blade runner because of the prosthetic flex-feet he has in place of his lower legs.

In 2007 Daymon snapped a ligament in his knee, and doctors could not operate because of the medicine he takes after his transplant.

Instead he had a special knee brace made by the same people who make Oscar’s flex-feet, and it helped bring him back to full fitness.

The young athlete now needs to raise about £3,000, to cover the costs of travelling to London, plus food and accommodation for four weeks.

While there, he also hopes to travel to Kent to take part in this year’s British Transplant Games, for the first time since his injury.

Anyone willing to help Daymon fundraise can call 07752 743166.

First published at 11:27, Friday, 06 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk