Bobby Moore award for OUH doctor

Dr Sarah Griffiths, Specialist Registrar in Geriatrics

Earlier this year, Dr Sarah Griffiths was crowned winner of the FA & McDonald's Grassroots Bobby Moore award.

Dr Griffiths (who practices under the name Dr Sarah McKelvie), works at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) as a Specialist Registrar in Geriatrics and established Summertown Warriors, which is a new opportunity for children with Cerebral Palsy to take part in football.

Summertown Stars Warriors Cerebral Palsy Team is part of Summertown Stars AFC, where Sarah's own children are already part of the club. She spotted a gap in the sports provision for children with Cerebral Palsy, so set about creating and building a team to give children with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy football.

She gained sponsorship to set up the entire team – covering everything from coaches to refreshments.

The Bobby Moore Award honours the club, league, project, team of people or individual that has exemplified the spirit of grassroots football.

Having won the Oxfordshire FA's Volunteer of the Year accolade in the local awards, Sarah was put forward and selected by the national judging panel to be named recipient of the prestigious award.

Sarah said: "I was incredibly honoured to win this award.  It's a privilege to see the difference that Summertown Warriors has made to the team members, and it's allowed the children to learn new skills, work together in a team, and make friends."

The award shows just how important volunteer work is to the local community.

Bridget Daly, Voluntary Services Co-ordinator for OUH, said: "We're so proud of Sarah – she gave up her own time to establish the team and it has paid off massively.

"Volunteers are a really vital part of our community and, as Sarah has shown, can make a real difference."