A TEENAGER from York who was born with terminal liver disease is set to take part in the World Transplant Games.

Millthorpe School pupil Lydia Mellen, 15, was born with terminal liver disease and received a transplant when she was just six.

Her selection for the games comes after she won a 5km cycling time trial and road race in her age group at the British Transplant Games last year.

All athletes have to fund themselves, so Lydia, who is from the Bishopthorpe Road of York, arranged a non-uniform day for all students at Millthorpe on Friday to raise money towards the £2,000 she will need to compete and to raise awareness of organ donation.

As previously reported in The Press, Lydia was born with a progressive terminal liver disease called Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis in 2000 and was first unwell at about six weeks old. The following days were filled with hospital trips and looking after her.

In 2007 at the age of six she underwent a life-saving and life-enhancing transplant. This second chance at life has been grabbed firmly with both hands. She loves to ride her bike and loves to compete. On any given Sunday, she goes out on her bike, in particular, seeking out hills to ride up.

After a stunning performance the British Transplant Games this year in Liverpool, where she won both the Time-Trial and the Road Race in her age group and was third overall, she has been selected to represent Great Britain in cycling. She will compete in the 5km time trial in the World Transplant Games 2017 in Malaga.

Millthorpe head teacher Trevor Burton, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support Lydia with her funding.

“Her selection for these games, which attract competitors from all over the world, is a fantastic achievement, especially when you consider how far she has come from being a very poorly little girl with an uncertain future.

“We’re very proud of her achievements and she is an inspiration to everyone, showing what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. We’ll all be rooting for her this summer.” Team Great Britain & Northern Ireland were the largest national transplant team at the 2015 World Transplant Games.