' I will always be grateful for the talent and compassion of everyone there'

Matt Forde has become a charity ambassador at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, after receiving life-saving care there.

The political comedian makes a return to live performance at the end of this month after having had surgery last year to have the base of his spine removed.

He was diagnosed with a sarcoma –  a rare cancer that develops in the bones and soft tissues – and underwent treatment at the North London centre he will now be working with.

He said: ‘I’m delighted to become an ambassador for RNOH Charity. Just a few months ago I underwent life-saving treatment at RNOH. I will always be grateful for the talent and compassion of everyone who works there. 

‘I saw first-hand the difference RNOH Charity makes, from funding uplifting artwork for the wards to helping supply transformative equipment for surgery and rehabilitation. Because of that, I want to help the charity improve the hospital experience for everyone. 

‘Now that I’m an ambassador I had hoped to host lavish receptions with silver trays piled high with praline, but the charity tells me that’s a different kind of ambassador.’

RNOH Charity chief executive Rosie Stolarski added: ‘The charity has been helping the hospital for more than 25 years as the extraordinary teams save lives and change the future for the better for so many people. 

‘With Matt’s support, we anticipate reaching even greater heights as he helps us raise awareness of the importance of the charity to the patients and staff of RNOH and move forward with our plans.’

This year, the charity is hoping to complete fundraising for the refurbishment of the outdated day-room at the hospital’s spinal cord injury centre for patients who often spend months at RNOH. 

The organisation is also raising funds to provide the hospital with a new scanner to treat more patients

Forde will perform five work-in-progress gigs at London’s Soho Theatre this month, ahead of a full run at Pleasance Beyond during the Edinburgh Fringe in August.

Published: 15 May 2024