Osteopath loses his battle for life
The late Jonathan Betser
TOP osteopath Jonathan Betser, who founded Leighton Buzzard’s Woodside Clinic, has died after an 18-month fight for life.
Mr Betser, aged 46, was a dynamic and respected figure who worked at the highest levels in his profession. The osteopath, who had been battling cancer, died on December 15 at the Isabel Hospice, in Welwyn Garden City.
Mr Betser, married with a young son and daughter, helped establish osteopathy as an accepted discipline through his dedicated work. The sporting world was his particular passion, and his high-profile roles included that of lead osteopath at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, in Manchester.
After the UK won the vote to host the 2012 Olympic Games, he was again at the forefront of his profession, as lead osteopathic therapist. He went on to provide support for the Olympic organising committee until his health problems worsened.
Public recognition of his work included being ranked in the Independent On Sunday’s list of the UK’s osteopathic ‘Top Brass’.
Mr Betser, who lived near Ware, was president and former chairman of the Osteopathic Sports Care Association.
He worked with many sports teams during his career, including Luton Town, Northampton Town and Nottingham Forest football clubs.
His countless other roles had included supporting British trampolining and gymnastics squads, and he had been a guest osteopath at training sessions for England netball and rugby union squads. In this area, his work had included acting as chief medical officer for Leighton Buzzard Rugby Football Club.
He was featured in radio and TV interviews, and in newspaper and magazine articles. Mr Betser also wrote articles himself for the newspaper and magazine world.
In the early years of his career, the osteopath set up the Woodside Clinic in Dunstable, and went on to open other branches including the Leighton Buzzard base.
He sold the business in 2010, after which he focused on his clinic in Shefford and on his involvement with the Olympic Games.
> A funeral service is due to be held for Mr Betser in Hertfordshire today, Tuesday.
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Monday 21 May 2012
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