TCS London Marathon, Sunday 27th April 2025

My little sister has suffered a lot during her lifetime having been diagnosed shortly after birth with Cleidocranial dysostosis which has meant years of surgeries and tests on her head, teeth, and more recently and most significantly her spine which was affected by sever scoliosis which often comes with her condition.
Thanks to a wonderful team of orthopaedic surgeons she was able to undergo spinal fusion surgery last year and will need further orthopaedic procedures during her lifetime to improve her quality of life and her ability to do everyday things that most of us take for granted. Conditions such as hers are very rare and I would love to support Joint Action to raise as much funding as possible to develop the research into such conditions moving forward.

As a fulltime NHS consultant orthopaedic surgeon, specialising in hip and knee surgery, I see at first hand the severe impact musculoskeletal disease has on patients and the benefit interventions, like joint replacements, can have of people lives.  The success of current treatments has been achieved through dedicated research and I believe passionately that with further research the physical and mental burden of trauma and degenerative joint disease can be greatly reduced.

From an academic perspective, as Professor at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Royal College of Surgeons, I clearly see progress orthopaedic research continues to make.  By running the 2024 London Marathon for the BOA Joint Action charity, I hope in some way to support and highlight the importance of quality orthopaedic research.

On a personal level, clinicians lead busy lives and frequently suffer from mental and physical burnout.  I would like to promote the benefits of running, and exercise in general, throughout a clinician’s career.  We all know colleagues who have been affected by physical & mental health issues and I hope to show that running is one way to help maintain a sustainable work-life balance.

Lastly, as the professional body for UK orthopaedic surgeons, the BOA has supported me in many ways throughout my career to date.  I hope that running in support of Joint Action is a small way to ‘give something back’ to our profession.

Do feel free to follow me (or laugh at me!) on Strava to see my progress in the months ahead.

Most importantly, please donate and help support Joint Action.

In 2016 and 2017, I had my knees operated on by Johnathon Eldridge (a member of the BOA) at Spire hospital where he detached my patella tendon to recentre my knee caps, along with removing the damaged cushioning and scar tissue. I had been training to be a sprinter since I was 12, and from 15 I developed Osgood Schlatters and then had on and off knee problems. I was still able to compete for my county and train with the head 400m coach at Loughborough University.
I had been misdiagnosed and misinformed to train through the pain which resulted in knee pain in my day to day, Johnathon Eldridge diagnosed me quickly, everything ran smoothly and as promised I went back to sprinting afterwards and now run and walk freely without pain which I didn’t think was possible. I’m extremely grateful and indebted to those operations, my athletics were entangled in my identity and sense of self and it’s pretty unbelievable that now I only have two very neat scars to remind me of that time.

I’d like to give back and help contribute towards helping raise money and awareness for all the good work that the BOA/ Joint Action are a part of.

My dad has had 2 knee replacement surgeries and my partners mum has always struggled with arthritis & her grandma who has passed away also had arthritis and it would mean a lot for me to raise awareness for Joint Action and the work you do!

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My motivation to run for this position stems from a deeply personal experience that has highlighted the critical importance of orthopaedic treatment and the extraordinary impact it can have on individuals' lives.

Sixteen months ago, my healthy, active, and vibrant fiancé, Kaine, experienced a life-altering event. While on his stag do in Benidorm, he was struck down by a speeding motorbike travelling three times the speed limit. The accident left him in a critical condition, fighting for his life with numerous severe injuries.

Immediately, I flew to be by his side as he underwent countless hours of surgery and intensive treatment. His injuries required the placement of external fixators on his left leg and pelvis, and we faced a challenging three-day journey back to the UK by road, as he was too ill to fly.

Upon our return, Kaine underwent further surgeries to stabilize his broken pelvis and temporarily fix his tibia and fibula. Despite the nine months of recovery, complications led to additional surgeries to insert internal nails and screws. The road to recovery has been long and painful, and although Kaine can no longer play football or work as a full-time car mechanic, we are profoundly grateful for his survival and the dedicated medical professionals who have supported us.

Our wedding, initially postponed due to his injuries, is now rescheduled for August 29th of this year. Through this journey, we have gained immense respect and gratitude for the orthopaedic community, whose expertise and dedication have been pivotal in Kaine’s recovery.

Inspired by Kaine’s resilience and the remarkable care he received, I have decided to run a marathon to raise awareness and funds for orthopaedic treatment and care. This cause is close to our hearts, and we are committed to giving back and supporting the work that has made such a difference in our lives.

My Instagram account provides updates and details of our journey, showcasing our appreciation for the orthopaedic team's life-saving efforts. I believe my personal experience and commitment to this cause would bring a unique and passionate perspective. 

I am eager to contribute to raising awareness, advocating for advancements in orthopaedic care, and supporting the dedicated professionals who make miracles happen every day.

I am honoured to run the London Marathon for Joint Action! The work that the employees put into helping those affected is admirable.  I will be running for my dad who in the last two years had to get two undergone two knee replacement surgeries. Despite the effect this had on his day to day life, he continued to be there for all of his family so I want to give something back and do this marathon to show we are strong with him.
I am also be running for all the other men and women out there who can’t do it themselves due to these awful conditions.