KATHY CROSS is living proof that a transplant does not have to stop you in your tracks.

Four years after receiving a new kidney, the 51-year-old home care manager, from Childwall, has returned from the World Transplant Games in Australia with a stunning haul of six medals.

Kathy’s family rallied together when her health deteriorated and her brother, John McQuillan, was one of those tested for suitability to donate a kidney.

The 49-year-old maintenance fitter was a match and Kathy has made the most of his life-saving gift by picking up her running career where it left off.

Kathy brought back not just a gold in the 400m, but bronze in the 3k run and walk, the 1500m and 800m as well as a silver in the women’s 3k team event.

Kathy said: “I had problems for years with my kidneys.

“The left one was removed and then when the right one deteriorated they knew I would have to have a transplant.

“I had run before my transplant with Picton Running Club.

“The staff in hospital knew I was a runner and they told me about Transplant Sports UK.

“I competed in the first UK event in 2007 in Edinburgh and was hooked.”

Unfortunately, an accident resulting in a fractured knee kept Kathy on the sidelines for the next event, but soon her eye turned to the world games.