A TEENAGER'S Olympic dream has come true thanks to a wish-making charity.

Keen swimmer and transplant patient Lynda Morrison, 17, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is about to go to Athens. And while she is there she will meet her swimming hero and Australian gold medallist, Ian Thorpe.

When she was 13, Lynda was chosen to head up a campaign to encourage more people to carry donor cards. It resulted in more than 14,000 people signing up.

A pupil at St Aidan's Chuch of England High School in Harrogate, Lynda underwent a heart transplant operation when she was seven.

She is a member of the Harrogate District Swimming Club based at the town's Hydro pool and her greatest wish was to meet Thorpe.

The dream will now come true thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Barry Saunders, championship secretary of Harrogate District Swimming Club, said: "Keeping fit is a struggle for Lynda and swimming has been an important part of her fitness regime since she was tiny.

"A virus contracted when she was just seven resulted in her needing a heart transplant. The gift of a donor heart from France and the skill of the staff at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, saved her life.

"Over the past two years, our coaches have helped Lynda to take part in the annual British Transplant games."

She has won seven medals as a member of the Freeman Children's Transplant Team.

"This trip is just a wonderful way of rewarding this special young lady," said Mr Saunders.

She will travel to Athens with her mother, Kerry, father, Brian, and her two younger sisters, Rachel and Jennifer.

The trip will mark the tenth anniversary of Lynda's transplant.