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!

My story started in January 2021. One evening, I folded my arms and felt a lump in my right upper arm. I thought to myself it was probably just muscular. After a couple of weeks, it didn’t appear to be getting any smaller, so I rang my GP, who immediately sent me for an ultrasound scan. It was quite clear from the screen that there was some form of mass in my triceps. Over the next few weeks, things moved quite quickly with x-rays and an MRI scan, following which I was contacted by the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

I started to realise that this was a lot more serious than I originally thought and how it may impact my life as a guitarist with my band Witcher, my love of driving, DIY, and general day-to-day living. Within 2 months, I had a CT scan and biopsy at ROH. Resulting in being told that I had a soft tissue pleomorphic Sarcoma, finally I knew what it was. My treatment plan would involve an operation following radiotherapy at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Which meant a 26-mile journey up and down the M5, 5 days a week, for 5 weeks. Fortunately, some good friends took me and my wife, Sarah, every day, which took the pressure off us, and we will always be extremely grateful for what they did for me. The treatment I received under Dr. Peake and his team was first-class.

Following the CT and MRI scan, we met my consultant, Mr. Scott Evans. Upon meeting Scott, I immediately felt relatively at ease and comfortable. As he explained to my wife and me, the seriousness of my operation meant that I could lose sensation in my whole arm. Or the worst-case scenario, being that I could lose my arm. My mind was now working overtime, trying to take in what I had been told. I said, “hang on a minute” as I showed Scott a picture of me playing guitar on my phone. “This is what I do.” He took my phone and asked me what sort of music I played, so bizarrely, we sat and chatted about music, and then he assured me he would do the very best to save my arm. We were then introduced to Miss Foong, who would be assisting Scott with the surgery, and a date was then set for August 23rd, 2021.

We then had to tell our family about how bad the outcome could be, but they couldn’t have been any more supportive of myself and Sarah.

Following my operation, I was relieved to find my right arm still there and my hand still functioning. I was told they had removed 2 of the tricep muscles and managed to save my nerves. I left the hospital 5 days later. Following some physiotherapy and help with lymphedema, life was good, and I was back gigging regularly with the band.

Everything was fine over the next 15 months until my arm started to ache, and I got in touch with the ROH. Immediately after I had an MRI, x-ray, PET scan, and biopsy, it was confirmed that I had a recurrence of Sarcoma in my remaining tricep. I knew in my own mind at this point that I was going to lose my arm and that my life was going to change forever.

So I went back to see Scott, and he told me my PET scan was clear and that the cancer was confined to my remaining tricep. As I suspected, the best way to keep me alive would be to lose my arm at the shoulder. Everyone in the room was surprised by my reaction, but I knew what was coming and had already accepted it. A date for the surgery was arranged with Scott and Miss Foong for February 27th, 2023. This left me with about 4 weeks to prepare for life without my right arm. I started to learn how to do everything with my left hand alone. I knew I was going to need an automatic car so I could continue to drive, and within a week, that was sorted.

We had a trip to the Forest of Dean for a short break with family the week before the operation. First thing on Monday, February 27, I was off to ROH for the operation.

Scott arrived to speak to me before I went to the theatre, and we had a good chat. My operation went well, and the care I received from the nursing team and medical staff at ROH was exceptional. By Friday teatime, I was home having a roast dinner.

After 6 weeks, I attended my driving assessment and had the necessary modifications made to my steering wheel, enjoying driving again and getting my freedom back. Not being able to play my guitar was a massive blow, but a friend said, “why don’t you take up the keyboard?” I laughed at first, thinking, “how do you play a keyboard with one hand?” As I had never touched a keyboard in my life, so I thought, “why the hell not?” Within 5 months of losing my arm, I was back on stage with my band. There was no way I was going to sit back and let the loss of my arm beat or define me. To me, everything is about problem solving, and I’ve not lost an arm; I lost cancer.

On my journey, I have met some truly amazing people throughout the NHS. Here’s a list of massive thank-yous. My GP in Worcester, the CT & X Ray department at Kidderminster Hospital, Worcester Royal Hospital, physiotherapy and lymphedema clinics, Redditch Hospital’s MRI department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Radiotherapy Department, and ALL staff involved in my care and treatment at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

I would particularly like to send a MASSIVE thank you to Mr. Scott Evans and his team. Gabriella Stefan and all the Macmillan nurses, the amazing Miss Foong, and her team. Birmingham Amputee and Rehabilitation Clinic and the Carole Hughes Macmillan support line.

Finally, to my son-in-law Brad, who ran the Manchester Marathon and raised a fantastic £2000 for the Royal Orthopaedic Charity, and to my wonderful wife Sarah and family for all your love and support.

Despite Nigel’s bravery and fight, his cancer returned in early 2024 and he sadly passed away in the October of that year.  His family would like to continue sharing his story to give hope and inspiration to others and will be forever grateful to ROH for giving them additional years with Nigel.

Health Hacks phase 1 – Spring 2025

On Wednesday 2nd April, ROC launched Phase 1 of Health Hacks at Bournville All-Through School, delivering an interactive and educational workshop to Year 4 and Year 5 students. The workshop was designed to educate pupils about their bodies, encourage healthier lifestyles and promote musculoskeletal (MSK) injury prevention. 

The morning began with a session led by physiotherapists, who introduced students to the roles of bones and muscles in the body. Through a series of interactive games, children explored how their bodies move and respond to different challenges. Activities included a tap the light reaction game to test coordination and speed, balance drills where students stood on one leg while reaching for cones and a balloon throw challenge combining balance and movement to develop control and stability. These activities helped students understand the importance of physical activity in maintaining strong muscles and joints while keeping them engaged and excited to learn. The session also focused on general well-being, where children learnt about the importance of diet, sleep and exercise. They discovered how factors like healthy foods, regular movement and good rest contribute to overall health, helping them understand how to take care of their bodies. 

The next session, led by Trauma and Orthopaedic Doctors, focused on the skeletal system and common injuries. Students had the opportunity to examine real X-rays, identifying different bones and spotting fractures. They also took part in a hands-on activity where they applied wool and crepe bandages to themselves and their classmates, mimicking the process of casting broken bones.

One pupil said, “I definitely want to be a doctor when I’m older.”

These activities sparked a lively Q&A, where students asked questions about health, injuries and anatomy.  

To conclude the workshop, students were given a community task, which is Phase 2 of Health Hacks. Their mission is to take the knowledge they’ve gained and share it with their families, friends or carers, creating a plan to incorporate these healthy habits into their daily routines over the next four weeks. 

In two weeks time, ROC will revisit the school to check in with the students to see how they’ve applied their learning at home. Then, on 1st May, they will move into Phase 3 with a visit to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. During the visit, students will experience a day in the life of various healthcare professionals, gaining insight into their roles. They will also have the chance to present their experiences and findings from the community challenge and finish with an exciting tour of the hospital.  

Click here to find out more about the Health Hacks initiative and our goals going forward.

If you would like to become part of the ROC Health Hacks community, email us on roc@nhs.net.

Quick links

Supporting Safeguarding of patients & Staff at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

Meet Skha – Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Advocate

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation Trust’s Safeguarding Team has introduced a new Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Advocate role which is proudly Funded by ROC.

This is a significant step in supporting victims and survivors within the healthcare setting, offering dedicated support above and beyond what the Trust is usually able to provide.

Many victims face significant barriers to seeking help, including fear, stigma, and lack of awareness of available resources. As the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Advocate (DASVA), Skha is dedicated to ensuring no one at ROH navigates these challenges alone.

Skha has worked in various advocacy and frontline roles, including Regional Independent Domestic Violence Advisor, Domestic Abuse Practitioner, and Domestic Abuse Lead Worker. She has also collaborated with Non – Governmental Organisations internationally on gender-based violence prevention, research, and policy development.

Her mission is to ensure victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence are heard, believed, and empowered. She provides direct support to patients and staff, conducts risk assessments, safety planning and collaborates with multi-agency partners to ensure holistic care and support, including referrals to the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference, social services, and specialist support organisations.

Since taking on the role, Skha has supported 25 patients and staff members and played a key role in awareness campaigns, including the “16 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women and Girls” and a recent sexual violence awareness roadshow. She is currently conducting a Sexual Violence Awareness Audit to assess staff readiness in handling disclosures related to sexual violence by patients and staff in line with the NHS sexual safety charter.

Moving forward, Skha will continue supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence, developing training materials, enhancing care pathways, and embedding this role into Trust’s operations. This charity-funded position reflects the Trust’s commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for its patients and staff members.

Quick links

Sunday 4th May 2025

Take on the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run and raise money for ROC! Whether you go for the 10K or the half marathon, you’ll be part of the Midlands’ biggest running event, complete with en-route entertainment and a finish line celebration that feels like a party!

Run with #TeamROH, feel the Birmingham spirit and make a difference for patients and staff at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

1️⃣ Email roc@nhs.net to express your interest.
2️⃣ We’ll send you a short sign-up form.
3️⃣ Once completed, we’ll cover your entrance fee and help you secure your place in the run.
4️⃣ Set up your fundraising page and watch the support roll in! Not to mention, ROC will be on hand to promote your page to help boost your fundraising total.