Consultant Spinal Surgeon Mr Am Rai and Rhematology Consultant Dr Karl Gaffney, who both work at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, will be cycling from London to Paris for charity on 20th to 23rd July 2016. 

Mr Rai is President of the British Association Spinal Surgeons and specialises in treating patients with a range of spinal conditions from across Norfolk and Suffolk. He also runs and manages Spineaid which is a charity caring for children with spinal conditions. Mr Rai leads a team of Surgeon that regularly travel to the developing world to educate and treat patients. He has raised over £100,000 towards caring for these children and ensures that donated money is appropriately spent on improving people’s lives.

Dr Gaffney, who is Rheumatology Service Director and Research Lead, heads a team which treats many different types of arthritis. He is fundraising to increase awareness of a condition known as Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). This is a type of chronic inflammatory arthritis of the spine which causes severe spinal pain and disability. The eyes, bowels and skin are also commonly affected. Although 200,000 people in the UK are believed to suffer from AS, the average delay to diagnosis is 10 years. New effective treatments are available and these work best if started early. Dr Gaffney holds the role of Trustee and Chair of the Medical Advisory Board of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS). More information is available on www.nass.co.uk

To donate, go to: www.spinaid.co.uk or www.justgiving.com/Karl-Gaffney