About this branch

The Oswestry Rheumatology Association was founded in 1968 by Dr. Donald Ward. His life’s work involved establishing the Rheumatology Unit, and rheumatology services at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital as a centre of excellence.

Dr. Ward’s concept was to treat the ‘whole patient’. He regarded the unit as a family, with staff, patients and relatives all working together and meeting socially to offer mutual support.

The current committee is a mix of patients, relatives and ex staff, working closely with the rheumatology unit and the League of Friends. The membership of the ORA is approximately 140, mostly people with arthritis or their families and friends. They have a very active group of junior members.

Their aim is to share friendship, offer support and fundraise for arthritis research and necessary equipment at RJAH. Themain social and fundraising event is the Autumn Fair and Grand Draw Raffle at Oswestry’s Memorial Hall. Other regular activities include quiz nights, concerts, supermarket coin collections and charity market stalls. The branch also receives donations, bequests and legacies.

An annual newsletter is printed for members – it includes articles describing fundraising activities and how money raised is spent. In recent years the ORA have given £60,000 to rheumatology research and bought a £35,000 diagnostic ultrasound machine, equipment for the hydro pool and smaller items as requested to help patients and staff.

Additional information