A DOUBLE lung transplant patient from Keighley is preparing to tackle the challenge of a lifetime.

Chris Newall, who has cystic fibrosis, is taking part in this summer's Westfield Health British Transplant Games.

He will be among over 600 competitors at the four-day event, in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Mr Newall has been suffering chronic rejection of his new lungs, which he received in an eight-hour operation at Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, in February last year.

But he is adamant that he will take part in his first Games, starting on July 30.

"I am looking forward to it," he says.

"I'm doing as much training as I can but I become breathless quite quickly at the moment.

"I've been trying to get to the gym, doing a bit of work on the treadmill and cycling up and down the street."

Mr Newall – who will be 30 next week – will participate in events including walking, cycling and ball throwing.

He was presented with a bike by the Margaret Carey Foundation to help with his training.

And he has received backing from the Freeman Heart and Lung Transplant Association (FHLTA), a voluntary organisation comprising heart and lung recipients, their families and supporters.

"The support from both organisations has been fantastic and I am extremely grateful," said Mr Newall, who also suffers from diabetes and osteoporosis.

His condition started to worsen from the age of about 16 and prior to his double transplant he could barely get about.

The chance of life-changing surgery came up after only around seven weeks on the waiting list.

"All I know about the donor was that it was a young person who had suffered a brain tumour but was otherwise very fit," said Mr Newall.

"The operation was a great success. It gave me 80-plus per cent lung function.

"I was back home within three weeks."

But he has subsequently developed stomach problems and a virus has led to the lungs rejecting.

"I've been in and out of hospital but I'm trying to stay positive and not worry," he said.

"People can live with chronic rejection for 15 or 16 years."

Mr Newall is in the final year of a computer science course at Craven College, Skipton.

He is then looking towards working as an IT technician or in graphics or computer games design.

"I would like to develop a game based around the Transplant Games!" he said.

Mr Newall is also hoping at some point to complete a sponsored bike ride in aid of FHLTA.

Helen Rowlands, fundraiser at the Margaret Carey Foundation, said: "One of the objectives of the foundation is to distribute refurbished bikes to people in need.

"Chris will genuinely benefit from receiving the bike from us and we wish him good luck in all his cycling ventures."