Eric to host basketball tournament for kidney charity

Bexhill Giants' Eric Douglin is recovering from a life-saving kidney transplant but already making plans for the future.

He is hosting a basketball tournament at Bexhill Leisure Centre and aims to raise funds and awareness for Kidney Research UK.

Eric, who is 46, was lucky to receive a transplant from fiancee Mandi Chillery in January having suffered Chronic Kidney Disease (CDK) since 2002.

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The couple is still off work following the procedure and undergoing regular checks at Guy's Hospital in London. They live together in Bromley and both work at Direct Line as analysts.

Eric popped the question to Mandi, 38, on Christmas Day and she is already deeply involved with arrangements for their wedding day on June 25 2011.

Having started the Bexhill Giants basketball team in 1999, Eric is now using his connections to host a charity tournament in Bexhill.

He commented: "I'm feeling fine '“ everything is all present and correct, and I'm feeling good. Mandi is feeling well also. I had a couple of little blips but apart from that nothing untoward.

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"At the moment I am just trying to raise awareness still and we are trying to do more to help funds.

"I am doing a 3X3 tournament at Bexhill Leisure Centre on Sunday May 23 which will be from 10-4pm.

"Representatives from Kidney Research will be coming down and handing out prizes, t-shirts, and balloons, and helping us to raise awareness.

"Also Rob Birchmore, who used to coach Brighton Bears, will be coming down with a couple of the GB players who will take part and help raise the profile of the event.

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"The emphasis is on having a fun day '“ there's going to be competitions and shoot-outs, and there will be a chance to buy merchandise, with all proceeds going to Kidney Research."

Apart from holding this Bexhill event, Eric and Mandi have been chosen to promote the Kidney Research spring lottery which is a national campaign and their details will be used in promotional material as well as on the lottery tickets.

The couple will attend a celebration dinner for kidney donors at Guy's Hospital on Wednesday March 31 where they will meet others who have been through the same experience.

A result of Eric's story in the Observer has been that other people locally suffering CKD have also been in touch with him to discuss their experiences and problems.

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Eric said: "There are so many people in Bexhill who had the same condition asking me for information '“ so in that respect it has been good, and raised awareness for local people in Bexhill. It seems my story has touched quite a few people who say '“ Look, can you give me some advice.

"They are saying it's good it was a local story and it has had a far-reaching effect.

"So now it's about anything we can do to raise the profile and raise funds '“ it's to help other people. We are all fit and healthy...we are getting there."

Anyone interested in finding out more or offering prizes for the basketball tournament can email him on [email protected]