Charity cricket match raises money for hospital Friends

A charity cricket match hosted by members of the Oswestry Orthopaedic Training Programme has raised almost £400 for the League of Friends at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH).

The Oswestry Evolution Cup was created to revive the rotation’s rich cricketing history, bringing consultants and registrars together to compete for bragging rights and the coveted trophy.

The event also has a special historical link to Kristopher Robert-Jude, a former patient of the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI). Kristopher previously organised a cricket match to raise funds for the hospital and donated the Oswestry Evolution Cup, which consultants and registrars now compete to lift.

The T20 match between consultants and registrars took place at Whittington Cricket Club on the sunny evening of Friday 21 August, following the day’s teaching sessions.

Registrars, consultants, hospital staff and supporters from across the rotation gathered to cheer on their colleagues and enjoy an evening of cricket, friendly banter and community spirit.

The registrars ultimately lifted the Oswestry Evolution Cup, while all proceeds from the event will support the League of Friends and help the charity continue its valuable work for patients, staff and services across the hospital.

Anubhav Malhotra, Specialty Trainee in Trauma and Orthopaedics, said: “It was fantastic to see the whole rotation come together for the return of the annual consultants versus registrars match, which had not taken place since before covid.

“The registrars may have taken home the trophy, but the strong sense of community was the true winner. We are hugely grateful to the League of Friends for their hospitality and generosity, and to everyone who came along to support the event.”

Victoria Sugden, League of Friends CEO, said: “It is fantastic to see our consultants and registrars embracing the hospital’s proud cricketing heritage and bringing colleagues together for such a wonderful occasion.

“We are incredibly grateful for their generous support, which will make a real difference to the work we do at RJAH.

“It is also very special to see Kristopher’s trophy taking its place at the heart of what we hope will become a much-loved annual tradition.”