A hotel worker whose father was diagnosed with kidney failure when she was a child has decided to raise funds for the charity that supported him.

Raquel Riesgo Franco, from Cardiff, was nine when her father was taken into hospital with high blood pressure and subsequently diagnosed with chronic kidney failure.

He was referred for treatment and required to receive dialysis filtering in hospital three times a week.

Finally, a positive match was found

While waiting for a transplant, he remained on dialysis for five years and was given a home dialysis machine.

Finally, in 2003, he was told a positive donor match had been found and was able to go for the operation that saved his life.

Now Raquel has decided to raise money for the Kidney Wales Foundation by completing an obstacle course called the Gauntlet Games.

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She said: “It will be such a great opportunity to not only raise money for the great work that Kidney Wales do, but also to raise awareness that people can save lives when they donate their organs to people in need – like my father was.”

Raquel, who works for the Cardiff Marriott Hotel, will be joined by her colleagues to complete the race. The team have also chosen Kidney Wales as their charity of the year.

'This is my first time doing anything like this'

She added: “I’m really grateful that the team at the Marriott want to get involved with these games and support Kidney Wales, who make a huge difference to families like mine.

“These fundraising activities give families the opportunity to meet with other people in similar situations and all share the same great experience.

“I recommend anyone of any fitness ability to sign up – this is my first time doing anything like this.”

Kidney Wales chief executive Roy Thomas said: “Raquel understands what it is to have a loved one on dialysis.

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“The team at the Marriott are not only taking on the challenge of the Gauntlet Games and raising money for our charity, but the Marriott has adopted Kidney Wales as their charity of the year.”

The event on Saturday, June 6 is aimed at people who are new to obstacle racing and will take place in woodland in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The 5km or 10km routes have a Gladiator theme. For more information and to sign up, visit www.thegauntletgames.co.uk

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