Rugby star Jamie Roberts traveled more than 13,000km from Cape Town (South Africa) to Cardiff (UK) to volunteer to join the frontline medical team against the pandemic.
“I am passionate about helping the people of Cardiff, my hometown. Although I have never worked in a clinical setting, I believe I can still lend a hand and a brain to help the medical team defeat COVID-19,” said Jamie Roberts.
Although an athlete, Roberts also has a “career”. The 33-year-old was a medical student at Cardiff University (UK) and graduated in 2013.
This is an admirable effort because Roberts both plays professionally and studies medicine. Since 2008, Roberts has played for major clubs and is an important member of the British and Irish Lions – the national team of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
“After graduating, I have continued to conduct more medical research,” Roberts shared.
With the available “capital”, Roberts volunteered to go to the difficult place, immediately returning home to support the University Hospital of Wales even though he had just joined the Stormers Club in South Africa – a country much safer than Europe during the pandemic.
“The first day at the hospital was very emotional, I witnessed with my own eyes the doctors and nurses working and trying to complete the task as best as possible”.
“For my part, I will probably not be assigned clinical tasks but join the team to support basic medical work. I will also motivate the doctors and nurses, as well as support the media team to bring messages for the community to everyone”, Roberts said.
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