A Towyn footballer who received a life-saving kidney transplant has helped England win their first-ever Transplant Football World Cup, after support from a North Wales NHS charity helped him travel to the tournament in Germany.

Harry Lockley, 24, was part of the England Transplant Football Team that lifted the trophy in Frankfurt in September, beating Spain 5-1 in the final.

His journey back to football followed years of living with a genetic condition and a period of kidney failure which threatened to bring his playing career to an end.

Harry was diagnosed with Alport syndrome at the age of five and lived a relatively normal life until he developed kidney failure at 21. He spent six months on peritoneal dialysis before receiving the call in October 2023 to say a matching kidney donor had been found.

He described it as “the best call of my life”.

At the time, Harry was playing semi-professional football but was unsure whether he would be able to return to the pitch after his transplant.

His girlfriend contacted the transplant sports office to find out how he could rebuild his fitness and get back into the game. The response came from England Transplant Football manager Daley Cross, who invited Harry to attend training and join the team on its trip to the first Transplant Football World Cup in Italy in 2024.

Since then, Harry has helped England win the European Transplant Football Championship in 2025 and the Four Nations Championship in May 2026, before playing his part in the team's historic World Cup success.

He said: “The team is so special, it’s one of a kind. I’m so grateful to be a part of it – raising awareness for organ donation and inspiring others is what we are built on.”

Harry's journey to Frankfurt was supported by the Friends of Renal Care fund at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, which is managed through North Wales NHS Charity Awyr Las. The funding helped cover his travel costs for the tournament.

Dyfed Jones, chair of the Awyr Las Charitable Fund Committee, said the charity was delighted to support Harry and described his achievement as a testament to his resilience and determination following his transplant.

He said Harry's success was an inspiration to people in North Wales and beyond.

The Friends of Renal Care works alongside Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's renal service to support people living with kidney disease through projects and activities designed to improve their experience of care.

Its committee includes renal patients and their relatives, helping ensure that support reflects the needs and experiences of those affected by kidney disease.

People wishing to support the fund can contact Awyr Las at awyrlas@wales.nhs.uk or donate through the Friends of Renal Care JustGiving page.