PATIENTS visiting north Hampshire hospitals may spot a pattern if they see surgeons.

A group of 14 orthopaedic surgeons from Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have a completely new look after having their heads shaved for charity and to show solidarity with a colleague battling cancer.

Jonathan Hobby, an orthopaedic consultant based at Basingstoke hospital, recently underwent a bone marrow transplant as part of his treatment for lymphoma.

In a show of support – and to raise money for cancer services at the trust – colleagues publicly braved the shave and went to as ‘bald as their buddy’.

The event took place in the restaurant at Basingstoke hospital on Friday last week in front an audience of staff and visitors, with songs about hair playing in the background.

Alex Whitfield and Elizabeth Padmore, chief executive and chairman respectively of Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, which runs Basingstoke hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, and Andover War Memorial Hospital, joined in as hair stylists and shaved two of the consultants’ heads.

Kevin Conn, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Hampshire Hospitals and a close friend of Jonathan, came up with the idea.

He said: “It has been fantastic to see the team’s enthusiasm come together for such a great cause and we are delighted to give Jonathan something to smile about at this tough stage of his treatment.”

The event has already raised over £11,000, which will go towards providing an autologous bone marrow transplant suite on Wessex Ward, which is the haematology and oncology unit at Basingstoke hospital.

The suite would allow doctors at the trust to provide a new form of treatment for patients who require a bone marrow transplant.

Kevin added: “Jonathan is encouraged that we are raising money for the Wessex Ward, where he was initially treated, so they can continue to provide outstanding care to patients throughout their treatment.”

To sponsor the surgeons, go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=asbaldasourbuddy&pageUrl=1.