Lesley Forrest had a kidney transplant in 1996

Lesley Forrest, from Newington, who received a kidney transplant 11 years ago, made the call ahead of the annual competition in the capital.

The 50-year-old won gold for race walking and a silver and bronze for swimming at the event in Bath in 2006.

The 30th British Transplant Games runs between 26-29 July.

The only drawbacks are taking tablets every day because they affect your bones by weakening them Lesley Forrest

Ms Forrest, who will also be competing in the World Transplant Games in Bangkok in August, said she hoped the games would highlight the need for more donors, as well as show how people with transplants can carry on normal lives.

The mother-of-three said: "Once you have a transplant you need to stay fit and healthy.

"I took up walking and swimming after I received a kidney 11 years ago and it still works great. I can do everything anyone else can do.

"The only drawbacks are taking tablets every day because they affect your bones by weakening them.

"More organs are needed all the time and so I would urge people to go on the register."

In training

Ms Forrest had a transplant because she had the inherited kidney disease, Alports syndrome.

The Edinburgh University financial administrator has three kidneys because doctors do not remove the damaged ones.

She swims three times a week and power walks as part of her training for her heats.

She is entering the 3km race walk as well as the 150m and 100m breaststroke events.