On Saturday, 7 November 2026, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) surgeon Krashna Patel (Krash) and competitive strong woman Jade Skill – who finished 10th in the World’s Strongest Woman competition in July 2026 – will be taking on a challenge to lift 100,000 kilograms to raise funds for My WiSH Charity’s surgical robot appeal.
Consultant general surgeon Krash and strong woman Jade, who also recently came third in Natural England’s Strongwoman competition, will each lift 50,000kg in one day at the Moreton Hall Health Club in Bury St Edmunds.
The challenge is in aid of the My WiSH Charity’s Robot Appeal which was launched in March 2026, and aims to raise £1 million for the Trust’s state-of-the-art surgical robot, which brings the next generation of surgical techniques to the region, and improving patient experience and the quality of care.
Currently, many operations at West Suffolk Hospital are performed laparoscopically, sometimes known as ‘keyhole’ surgery. With the introduction of surgical robots, many of these patients benefit from even more refined surgical techniques.
Robot-assisted surgery allows for smaller incisions, which significantly reduces discomfort after the procedure and minimises any resulting scar tissue. Patients benefit from faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and return home earlier. The robot acts as an extension of the surgeon, who remain fully in control throughout each procedure, with the robot enhancing accuracy, flexibility, and visibility.
In addition to improving patient care, robot-assisted surgery also supports surgical teams. It reduces physical strain on surgeons, modernises surgical practice, and helps the Trust attract, train, and retain the very best clinicians, ensuring high-quality care for years to come.
Krash, who was the first surgeon at the Trust to use the robot, said: “Jade and I will be taking on this fitness challenge to raise money for our newly introduced robotics surgical programme at West Suffolk Hospital.
“The robot will be used to treat thousands of patients in our local community, and its advanced technology allows surgeons like me to perform operations with even more precision. It will be used to save lives, remove cancers and treat countless patients.
“The robotic programme has had a great start with more than 50 procedures performed since May 2026. So far, it has been used for general surgical procedures, including removing colorectal cancers, symptomatic gallbladders and for hernia repairs.
“We are continuing to expand the programme, with more surgeons starting to train within the next 6 months to allow us to perform more procedures in different specialties to help treat our patients.
“We are so grateful for all the donations we receive. Jade and I will appreciate all the support for this gruelling fitness challenge, and we are excited to support the progress of the Trust’s surgical robotics programme to deliver the latest surgical treatment to our local population.”
Jade said: “As Europe’s third strongest woman, I am looking forward to taking Krash down in this challenge! I wanted to take part and use my strength to make a lasting difference to healthcare in the local community.
“As the weights stack higher and the fatigue sets in, every kilogram lifted will represent something much greater than a fitness challenge. It will represent hope, progress, and better outcomes for patients across Suffolk and beyond.”
Joanne Landucci, head of My WiSH Charity, said: “On behalf of everyone at My WiSH Charity, I cannot thank Jade and Dr Krashna Patel enough for putting themselves through this incredible challenge and using their strength to help transform the experience of patients at West Suffolk Hospital. Their commitment is truly inspiring, and we are enormously grateful for their support.”
