A SPORTING star-in-the-making has celebrated the fifth anniversary of his successful liver transplant - and now set his sights on competing in next year's World Transplant Games.

A SPORTING star-in-the-making has celebrated the fifth anniversary of his successful liver transplant - and now set his sights on competing in next year's World Transplant Games.

Brave Cameron Lloyd, 16, from St Osyth, who celebrated the landmark yesterday, is a picture of health and looking forward to the major sporting event.

But now his parents have launched an appeal for £6,000 to fund the visit to the Games, held in Thailand, so they can watch their son compete.

They are calling for sponsorship from several large supermarkets and banks and Cameron even hopes to do a sponsored swim and parachute jump.

His mother Lisa said: “Cameron is a walking advert for how well transplants do work.

“He works hard at school and is committed to his swimming. He loves sport and enjoys travelling. When he is older he would like to be a sports' coach.

“Our world fell apart when we were told that our little boy had a life-threatening condition. Over the next few years we went through a rollercoaster of emotions until the devastating news that he would need a liver transplant to survive.”

Cameron, who swims for the Clacton on-Sea Sharks' team, added: “I never let my condition stop me from achieving my goals. I have recently qualified as a lifeguard and my next big goal is to do well in the 2007 games.”

Cameron was first diagnosed with the incurable liver disease, congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) when he was just four years old, but by the time he was 11 his family were told his only hope of survival was a liver transplant and he was put on the transplant list.

CHF is a rare disease that affects both the liver and kidneys and can lead to liver failure.

Fortunately, Cameron was able to undergo a life saving operation in 2001, after a donor match was found.

The teenager, who is studying for his A Levels at Colne Community College in Brightlingsea, still has to take medication every day.

Now his proud parents are celebrating his invitation to the 2007 games as well as his past accolades, which include representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the World Transplant Games in Canada in 2005.

He won gold in all of his five events and set a new record in the 50m butterfly.

Throughout his illness, the family have received unrelenting support from the Children's Liver Disease Foundation.

Catherine Arkley, foundation chief executive, added: “Cameron's tremendous sporting efforts highlight what a difference transplants can make to children affected by liver disease and we urge the public to think about registering on the UK donor register and talk to their relatives to make their wishes known.”

To offer sponsorship for Cameron's games trip, cheques can be sent to World Transplant Games, PO Box 142, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 7WS or call Lisa Lloyd on 07770 531161.

To become an organ donor visit www.uktransplant.org.