Sophia Lambert had a heart transplant at just four months old, leaving her in a life-threatening and terrifying position.

Yet, 11 years on she is fighting fit and preparing to represent Great Ormond Street Hospital in her third year at the British Transplant Games.

Sophia who lives in Tunbridge Wells with her mum, dad and two siblings, will compete against athletes from other UK hospitals in the breaststroke and backstroke swimming races at the games in Bolton from tomorrow.

The brave swimmer received her transplant at GOSH in the first few months of her life after undergoing open heart surgery to try and correct an absent left coronary artery, a rare abnormality of the heart.

Sophia was the youngest recipient of a heart transplant in Europe when she received it in 2003.

Despite requiring the dangerous surgery so early on, Sophia has overcome the difficulties life has thrown at her, and returned from the past two British Transplant Games with a silver and bronze medal.

Dad-of-three, Nick said: “Sophia was discharged normally after being born but we knew something was wrong.

“She kept going a worrying colour and seemed really unhappy. We had to rush her to hospital and doctors said that she was basically having mini-heart attacks.”

The Homewood House schoolgirl has always been a keen swimmer and is a member of the Monson Swimming Club in Tunbridge Wells with her twin brother, Alexander.

She has been training in her free time in preparation for this year’s competition.

Nick added: “I’m so proud of what Sophia’s done and the games are fantastic.

"A lot of people that go have been through heartache and hardship, so it's great to see everyone enjoying themselves.

"I have heard of families who have lost a loved one and an organ has been donated to a participant in the games, so they come and watch their relative live on in the body of someone else.”

Janet Holmes, cardiac and surgical play team leader at GOSH, said: “We’re thrilled that Sophia will be part of Team GOSH at the 2014 games. They are a fantastic celebration of the gift of organ donation, and show just how much transplant patients can go on to achieve.”

As well as having a passion for swimming, Sophia often takes a place on her school's ski trips and hopes to continue the sport in the future.

Nick said: "She doesn't really like being cold, so as long as we get her some nice warm clothes she should be happy to carry on skiing!"

The British Transplant Games run from Thursday, August 7 to Sunday, August 10.