Would you like the opportunity to chat about your joint replacement? Perhaps pore over some new or old orthopaedic implants? Or simply give Walk for Wishbone a go?

Walk for Wishbone - the Wishbone Orthopaedic Research Foundation of New Zealand's major fundraiser, will be held on Sunday, May 19, at the Tauranga Domain.

People can choose to walk for 1km around the athletic track, or do the 5km walk around the domain, with stunning views over the inlet.

People who have had hip or knee replacements, other orthopaedic surgery, or just fancy meeting new people and getting a bit of exercise are encouraged to Walk for Wishbone.

Tauranga orthopaedic surgeon Richard Keddell is on the Wishbone Orthopaedic Research Foundation, which distributes funds that support and advance orthopaedic surgery in New Zealand. He's a Walk for Wishbone veteran, has been involved in just about every walk since it began in 1995, and he says his patients love the walks.

'I've really encouraged them because walking is so fundamental to a significant amount of orthopaedic work - often what we are doing is getting people to walk again.”

Richard says the spot-prizes also go down well. 'There might be a prize for the longest lasting joint replacement, or the most recent one. People appreciate the camaraderie that develops relative to the type of orthopaedic surgery they've had. '

Walk for Wishbone raises money for orthopaedic research, which Richard says is vital if we are to continue to develop and trial new and better surgical and treatment approaches and techniques. 'New Zealand has always been a great contributor to orthopaedic research; including joint replacements, trauma and other orthopaedic conditions. We are well respected in the world for that.”

His message to those who have had orthopaedic surgery is give Walk for Wishbone a go.'It's a great opportunity to show off the benefits you've had from orthopaedic surgery. It's also a lot of fun.”

Richard will be at Tauranga's Walk for Wishbone at Tauranga Domain on Sunday. To find out more, go to www.walkforwishbone.org.nz.