Date: 24th July 2025

At the Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC), we’re proud to fund projects that not only enhance patient care but also reflect the values of our diverse community. One recent initiative we’ve supported is making resuscitation training at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) in Birmingham more inclusive — and it’s already making a real difference.

“Historically, resuscitation manikins used for CPR training have lacked diversity, with the familiar white ‘Annie’ manikins dominating training sessions across the UK. However, research shows that ethnicity can significantly influence the likelihood of a cardiac arrest victim receiving life-saving interventions like CPR and defibrillation, particularly in community settings” Resuscitation lead Phill Bell.

The Trust successfully applied to ROC for £23,000 to improve their stock of training equipment and ensure it better represents the local community.

Thanks to this funding, the Trust has now purchased a range of Afro-Caribbean Basic Life Support (BLS) manikins that provide instant feedback on CPR quality. Alongside these, they’ve invested in a high-resolution, life-like manikin and the latest clinical observation training equipment to enhance emergency response training.

These resources have been put to excellent use:

• Training courses within the hospital at all levels — from basic to advanced — now benefit from this improved, more representative equipment.
• Local universities and conferences have welcomed the manikins too, raising awareness of both CPR techniques and the hospital’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrations at public events have sparked valuable conversations about health inequalities and the importance of immediate action in cardiac emergencies.

In addition to the manikins, the high-definition clinical training equipment has been instrumental in teaching staff to recognise patient deterioration early, with a focus on improving sepsis recognition and treatment compliance. This technology supports interactive training that prepares staff for high-pressure situations, ultimately improving patient safety and outcomes.

While all the original funding has now been allocated, the impact of this project continues to grow. The Resuscitation Team is expanding its services to train healthcare professionals from other NHS Trusts, generating income to further enhance the programme.

The new manikins will also feature in promotional materials, showcasing that anyone attending training at ROH will learn using the latest, most advanced equipment available, thanks to ROC.

A Visible Commitment to Inclusion

This initiative stands as a meaningful demonstration of The ROH’s commitment to equality. It ensures that the Trust’s training resources reflect the community it serves and helps raise awareness of health inequalities in emergency care.

ROC are proud to have supported this important project — one that not only saves lives but champions inclusivity.

Date: 5th August 2025

The Theatres team at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) play a vital role in delivering outstanding patient care. Comprising of theatre nurses, anaesthetists, assistants, operating department practitioners, and more, the team represents a quarter of the hospital’s total workforce. Their expertise and dedication are critical to the hospital’s daily operations.

Often working long shifts in demanding and high-pressure environments, the team consistently demonstrates professionalism, resilience, and compassion. Recognising the need to support staff wellbeing, ROC was proud to fund the redesign of the theatre reception area, creating a brighter and more welcoming space for team members and visitors alike.

This initiative marks the first phase in a broader programme of improvements aimed at boosting morale and creating a more positive working environment within the Theatres department.

A team member commented:

“Thanks for making this possible—it’s causing quite a stir down here, in the best way. Staff are saying it lifts their mood, reminds them of sunny days, and brings a real sense of brightness. It’s made a big difference, so thank you for bringing our vision to life.”

By supporting projects like this, ROC continues to invest in the people who make the hospital’s exceptional care possible—helping staff feel valued, supported, and inspired every day.

Date: 24th July 2025

In early 2025, Ian reached out to the Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) to discuss a generous legacy left by his late father, Sid Wilkinson, in his Will.

Ian and his family were eager to ensure the gift would fund a meaningful and tangible project—one that would leave a lasting impact, particularly for children and young people receiving care at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

“Dad had three hip operations at ROH and received excellent treatment each time. One of his sisters was also a patient and, again, received wonderful care. He wanted the ROH to know how much he appreciated their kindness” – Ian

After thoughtful conversations with the Children and Young People’s Outpatient Department, the family chose to fund a bespoke sensory wall, which was installed in June. Created to foster a calm and supportive environment, the wall is already making a significant difference to young patients and their families during outpatient visits.

The clinical team shared the following insight into its impact:

“The panels provide our patients with a positive distraction and help siblings with self-regulation in a hospital setting. The tactile surfaces offer sensory stimulation and support a calm atmosphere—especially for patients with learning differences, who may find appointments overwhelming. Sensory environments are an important and reasonable adjustment for children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodiverse needs.”

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This project is a powerful example of how a legacy gift can create meaningful, lasting change—supporting patient wellbeing, enriching the care environment, and reflecting the compassion and values of those who choose to give.

Leaving a gift in your Will to ROC is a deeply personal and impactful way to support the hospital’s future—enabling continued investment in patient care, research, and specialist services for generations to come.

“From my point of view, it’s lovely to know that—even though we miss him terribly—he leaves behind a legacy that will be enjoyed by many children for years to come.” – Ian

A huge thank you goes out to Sid, Ian, and the entire family for their incredible generosity. This meaningful gift will make a lasting difference to young patients at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

If you’ve been inspired by Sid’s legacy and would like to learn how you can support the hospital, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with the ROC team by emailing roc@nhs.net or calling 0121 685 4379.

When Grace Winterburn was just 7 years old, her life changed with a diagnosis of severe scoliosis — a condition where the spine curves, sometimes severely enough to affect breathing, digestion, and heart function. In Grace’s case, she had a dramatic S-shaped curve in her spine, measuring 90 and 60 degrees. 

After being referred to The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) in Birmingham, Grace and her family were supported by the dedicated team on Ward 11 as she prepared for life-changing spinal fusion surgery at just 11 years old. 

Grace recalls one particular moment from those early hours after surgery: 

“I remember waking up in intensive care, and the first thing I tried to do was sing. I’ve always loved to sing, like I was performing, and it was the one thing I worried about most — that it might affect my voice.” 

The 12-hour operation involved placing two titanium rods and 23 screws into her spine to help straighten and support it. The recovery was long and challenging, but even as a child, Grace approached it with incredible strength and determination. 

Now, a decade later, Grace continues to show that a scoliosis diagnosis doesn’t have to hold you back. At 21, she marked the 10th anniversary of her surgery by taking on the Birmingham Half Marathon — raising an incredible £7,500 for the Royal Orthopaedic Charity. The funds will go directly to the Children and Young People’s Outpatients Department and Spinal Care Service at ROH — the very teams who cared for her during her treatment. 

Grace shared what it felt like to revisit the hospital where so much of her journey began: 

“Today I revisited the hospital where I had my spinal fusion done, and goodness me what an emotional but empowering day it was! To revisit these stairs, which I had to climb up before being sent home, to now running up and down them, made me remember why I am able to live the life I am able to.” 

Reflecting on the race itself, Grace said: 

“I was nervous at the start, but it felt important to take it all in. For me, it was a way to recognise how far I’ve come and show others with scoliosis that you can still take on big challenges.” 

Today, Grace uses her experience to raise awareness and support others going through similar treatment. Through her podcast, @Screwloosepodcast, and social media platforms, she shares honest conversations about recovery, the importance of blood donation, and life after spinal surgery. 

She’s also keen to highlight just how vital blood donors were to her survival: 

“the team quickly realised I’d lost too much blood after surgery and needed a blood transfusion. Thank you to anyone who donates blood, I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for whoever donated that blood. It saves lives” 

Grace is passionate about ensuring the funds she raised create lasting, meaningful change for young patients at ROH. 

“We’ll be working directly with the teams to make sure Grace’s donation is invested in the areas she cares most about,” said Elaine Bunn, Fundraising Officer at the Royal Orthopaedic Charity. “Grace will be involved every step of the way.” 

In June 2025, Grace returned to ROH to present the funds, revisit the departments, and reconnect with the clinicians who had cared for her 10 years earlier. 

“Visiting the hospital where I had spinal fusion. Turning up there and seeing the building brought back so many memories for me. Its where I was told I wasn’t going to have a back brace, where I was told I needed life changing surgery, where I had my surgery, where I re-learnt to walk. So many things happened that it felt really emotional to go back” 

In recognition of her advocacy and passion, Grace has also joined the ROCstar programme, the Royal Orthopaedic Charity’s ambassador initiative. She’ll be helping to raise awareness and funds in new, creative ways over the next 12 months. 

Grace’s story is a brilliant reminder of how patient experiences can shape the future of care and inspire others to overcome their own challenges. 

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The most ever raised for ROC!

Date: 10th May 2025

On Sunday 5th May, 19 fundraisers ran The Great Birmingham Run raising nearly £10,000 including gift aid support, for various departments across The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH). 

A mixture of patients, friends and families of patients, staff and medical students all took to the streets of Birmingham to raise both awareness and funds for Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC). 

Grace, a scoliosis patient at ROH travelled down from Manchester especially for the event in which she had been training for over 3 months, raised over £1,200 and a huge amount of awareness. Grace is a young sprightly fundraiser and is really passionate about raising awareness about spinal care. She has recently started her own podcast (instagram.com/thescrewloosepodcast/) sharing her experiences of various conditions, the main one being scoliosis. 

“If you or a loved one has spinal fusion or scoliosis then the screw loose podcast is a must-listen!” Grace – ScrewLoosePodcast 

Joel also approached us earlier in the year looking to support ROC and give back to ROH. Joel was transferred from Doncaster to the specialist spinal team at ROH after a rugby accident.  

“I was transferred to the specialists at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital at Birmingham where a biopsy was carried out on 12th October which confirmed a diagnosis of Fibrous Dysplasia.  FD is a benign bone condition in which abnormal fibrous tissue develops in place of normal bone.  

With the C2 fracture still unstable I had surgery on 14th December with Mr S Hughes (Consultant Spinal Surgeon) to fuse my C1 to C3 with metalwork. After months/years of consultations, x-rays and CT scans at the ROH i thought it’s now time for me to give something back. ” – Fundraiser Joel 

Joel rallied his two brothers and five friends to join him in the challenge — and together, they achieved an incredible result. Between them over £4,400 was raised to support our general appeal. 

Other fundraisers consisted of ROH staff, Brett and Judith. Both avid fundraisers who turn out for us time and time again and smash their fundraising targets. Some would even call them ROCstars.  

As well as a group of medical students currently at Warwick hospital who choose ROC to run for this year.  

“We’re a group of six medical students from Warwick who’ve bonded over our interest in orthopaedics — whether it was seeing a hip replacement for the first time, chatting to patients during placements, or watching someone walk again after surgery, we’ve all been inspired in different ways. Taking on the Great Birmingham Run felt like a small way we could give back to the hospitals that had a big impact on us.” 

Together, they raised more than four times the amount raised at last year’s Great Birmingham Run — the most ROC has ever raised through the event.  

“This certainly is a team high for us. It shows the impact fundraisers can make when they come together. I hope this helps others see the importance of supporting small charities like ours in future” Charlotte Thornwell – Community Fundraiser

A huge thank you to all those who fundraised for ROC this year, we really could not have made such an impact without you.

If you fundraised for ROC and would like to be featured on our website, email us on roc@nhs.net

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Date: 24th April 2025

A huge thank you goes out to Kennedy’s Law for donating over 60 easter eggs for patients visiting the Children and Young People’s Outpatients Department at ROH last week. Kennedy’s also went out of the way to supply diary free alternatives for those that required them.

Kennedy’s have also agreed to match fund the price of the eggs to support ROC’s Children and Young People’s appeal. Which supports young patients and their families through their hospital journey.

For young people and their families, a hospital visit can be a daunting task. Donations like this one help put a smile on their faces after what could have been a really hard appointment.

Patients and families visiting the department are egg-static!