Glasgow woman helps athletes after husband's life-saving op

Now, the Glasgow Caledonian University lecturer will be part of the event’s first ever psychological support team, helping athletes cope with anxiety and “survivor guilt”.

It is the first time this kind of therapy has been available to participants in the Games’ 40-year-history.

Dr Duncan, 58, and two of her doctoral students, DPsych Sport and Exercise Psychology trainees Abi Lind and Rachele Nateri, have volunteered to help athletes control their emotions, focus and boost motivation when they take part in the Games next month.

Elaine and David with Rachele and Abi (Image: Mark Gibson/Glasgow Caledonian University)

Elaine, a senior lecturer in psychology in the university's school of health and life sciences, has been attending the Games for the last decade, supporting her transplantee husband Dr David Sykes.

Aerosol scientist David, 55, had a life-saving kidney transplant almost 30 years ago.

Elaine and David at a previous Games (Image: Elaine Duncan)

Elaine explains: “David needed a kidney transplant due to glomerulonephritis, which is damage to the tiny filters inside your kidneys.

“It can be fatal. David believes he may have had it for a long time, and it gradually compromised his kidney function. Ever since the transplant he has been on immunosuppressants daily and he will always be on these.”

The couple, who live in the West End, met at a Burns Night dinner and ceilidh.

“I danced the feet off of him and have been doing so ever since,” says Elaine with a laugh.

The couple love mountains and walking – David even proposed to his wife at the top of Beinn Dorain in the Highlands, close to Bridge of Orchy.

Elaine and David at the top of Beinn Dorain, where he proposed to her (Image: Elaine Duncan)

More than 1000 athletes take part in the British Transplant Games, which this year take place in Coventry from July 27 to 30.

David will be competing in cycling, archery, 5km walk and javelin.

He says: “It’s going to be a fantastic bonus for all of us, not only to help the athletes perform, but also to help them with their transplant needs, as we get limited psychological support from the NHS. It’s a difficult thing having a transplant, physically but also mentally.”

Elaine, who is a sport and exercise psychologist, counsellor and yoga teacher, is also secretary of the Glasgow Transplant Sports Team.

“It can sometimes be very emotional for transplantees to take part in the Games,” she says. “They can suffer from survivor guilt and feelings they are not honouring the transplant, or it could be the fact that they are at a huge event with thousands of other people, sometimes it can just be overwhelming.”

She adds: “As a civic university that focuses on the common good and helping our communities, we are very proud to be part of the Games and hope that we can continue to support the athletes for many more years to come.”

READ NEXT: 'Extremely positive': East Kilbride school praised by inspectors

Second-year student Abi said: “I’m really excited to be going to the Games to help enhance the experience of the participants and use all the skills we’ve been learning.”

Third-year student Rachele said: “It’s great to have the opportunity to take part in the British Transplant Games and the experience will allow me to progress with my career in sport and exercise.”