VOLUNTEERING

In 2010, I was privileged to be able to volunteer in an ear camp in Far West Nepal. This was one of a series of ear camps that Mike Smith originated and has led in association with the International Nepal Fellowship over 20 years. In that time, Mike has marshalled volunteer surgeons, audiologists, anaesthetists and nurses to deliver much needed ear care to some of the remotest and most deprived areas in Nepal. 

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to be involved with the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre as a member of its Development Trust Board. Birmingham is fortunate to have the most successful single theatre in the UK, welcoming half a million visitors every year to an extraordinarily diverse programme of drama, comedy, international dance and, of course, pantomime. The Hippodrome contributes some £40m to the regional economy, yet does so without any public subsidy. For many years, the Hippodrome has also run an annual appeal to provide tickets to children receiving treatment at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital during the pantomime season to attend the shows and contribute to their general well-being. The Hippodrome theatre is a real jewel of the Midlands. Please support it by visiting it, exploring areas of the arts you are not usually interested in, participating in the BCH pantomime appeal and when you see what a fine theatre it is, support it financially by becoming a friend or a patron. 

The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine is situated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. It has a pivotal role in treating and rehabilitating soldiers injured in the line of duty. Mr Rhodri Williams, consultant maxillofacial surgeon, commanded a peloton of surgeons and friends to cycle from the QEH to the Menin Gate in Belgium and to present a wreath there. In the process, over £11,000 was raised for the military ward to provide equipment for the common room to enhance the recreational side of the in-patient stay of the injured soldiers.

Action Medical Research is a UK-wide medical research charity dedicated to raising funds for research into diseases in babies and of childhood. I was one of six children’s ear, nose and throat consultants from the Children’s Hospitals of Birmingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Belfast, Glasgow and Oxford were joined by representatives from Medtronic in the Summer of 2010 to cycle from London to Paris, raising over £7,000 for Action Medical Research. Support cycling, support children’s medical research.