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[GGN] #3: Transplants, Hockey and Animal ARK’s

Day 5,954, 03:24 • Published in United Kingdom

• by Garth Lidlington

It’s good news day! I hope you enjoy reading through these uplifting stories and if this made you slightly more positive about the day, feel free to share this with other people!

Mum and son take on world after transplant

When Alex Baddock's kidneys failed, his mother did what most parents would do and donated one of hers. Because of Alex’s age, he had to wait until three for a transplant, meaning most of his early life was meant in dialysis with overnight care.

At 12 years old and now 9 years on from the transplant, Alex is now living a normal life. He and his mum are now celebrating their unique bond through their shared passion of skiing. They are both competing in the World Transplant Winter Games, taking on competitors at the slopes from across the world. Even being able to take to the slopes at all was more than parents Julie and Howard could have imagined following his birth.

“There were moments when we would hope that Alex would be OK, and all the treatments would be fine," said Julie, 47. "Other times the enormity of what lay ahead would hit us and we were completely floored by the thought of it all."

Alex said that competing in the games against other children his age reminds him that he is “not the only one” and that “loads of other people” have been through transplants.

England over-80s hockey team practice in their prime

A group of octogenarian hockey players gathered in Cambridge for a practice game ahead of their next international match. They recently met at the Cambridge University sports centre ahead of their match with the Netherlands on 17th April.

Midfield player Vinny Smith, 80, said it was "awesome" to play for the team. "It [hockey] is a fantastic game. It's great to be out with these guys, who are all good mates... it's just a hoot," he said.

Team manager Adrian Stephenson said the side featured "England's most durable hockey players from all around the country".

"Such is the enthusiasm of these 'older' hockey players that this year there will be an additional B team international against the Netherlands with several players over 85," he said.In the same fixture last year, England beat the Netherlands 1-0.

ARK saves stranded animals in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine recently passed the two-year mark, and more than 15,000 animals impacted by the war have been saved by PETA Germany and the Ukraine-based Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARK).

ARK’s dedicated teams are providing upwards of 40 tons of food per month to cats, dogs, horses, donkeys, and other animals; offering free spay/neuter surgeries to 150 animals every month; and helping maintain refuges for animals in Kharkiv.

Nearly all of the animals rescued need immediate medical treatment for shrapnel injuries, broken bones, or infections. ARK’s hospital treats a staggering 100 to 130 animals per day, like this goat named Alaska who suffered a broken leg, for war-related injuries or deprivation.

“Animals don’t wage wars, but they’re victims of them, left to suffer without food, water, or veterinary attention for grievous injuries unless someone who cares comes to their aid,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA urges everyone to consider the animals impacted by conflicts and the heroes putting their own lives at risk to help them.”

Another week of good news is in the books! I will leave you with a short clip from my favourite comedian Bob Mortimer!