Charlie was 12 when he sustained a scald to his lap whilst having a steam inhalation.  He spent six weeks in hospital and needed skin grafts to help his burn to heal.  Charlie is now 18 and wants to help Children’s Burns Trust by fundraising and also support our prevention work by sharing his story and raising burns awareness.

‘The day after my daughter’s first birthday she had a hot coffee scald over her head, face and chest. This was something I had never expected to happen and opened my eyes to the risk of burn injury in infants.

I am now raising awareness through my social media channels and have supported burn awareness features in the press and on TV, and in my role as ambassador for Children’s Burns Trust hope to help prevent another family going through this experience’.

I am a burn survivor and NHS Psychotherapist.  When I was 4 years old I sustained 28% burns from my living room gas fire. Between the ages of 8-16 I was fortunate to attend annual Burns Camp where I had the opportunity to form a support-network with burn survivors who experienced similar challenges to myself. Peer-support from Burns Camps empowered me to develop self-acceptance and confidence following my injury.

I now regularly volunteer at Burns Camp, Burn Club events, and support forums for children, adults, and families. My experiences inspired me to undertake my BSc Psychology research project into the effectiveness of children’s burns camps and pursue a career in clinical psychology. I am passionate to continue supporting those affected by burns and highlight the effectiveness of burn-specific psychosocial support.

Laura is mum to Burn Survivor Arthur who was severely burned at just 2 years 9 months by a hot drink. Laura is determined to raise awareness about how easily these accidents can happen.

Tilly is a Burn Survivor, she was burned at just 18 months old when she pulled a kettle of freshly boiled water over herself, sustaining 33% burns to her body. Tilly initially spent two months in hospital following the incident.

Perry Burns was 13 years old when he was involved in an aeroplane accident which led to life changing injuries. Today he runs a successful business and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Ellie is mum to Burn Survivor Rosie-May. “My little 4-year-old Rosie-May got hit by a firework that had gone astray. The fear on her face and the other children will stay with me forever”.

Krissie was a specialist nurse in burns and plastic surgery. Krissie is an advocate for pre-hospital burn care, burn prevention, education and first aid, and has authored clinical professional guidelines, an educational Burns Game and The Family Oops children’s book on the subject.

Crystal is a burns survivor. She was burned at age 15 by tea light candles and got diagnosed with PTSD. Crystal is a passionate activist and campaigns for issues such as burns injuries, mental health and body image. She uses her passion for the performing arts to fundraise and raise awareness for important causes.

Chelsea is mum to burn survivor Riley who was severely burnt at 4 years old by a house fire caused by candles. I am very determined to help others try and prevent these accidents happening and actually raise awareness by how easily these accidents can happen. You never think it will happen to you- until it does. I was diagnosed with PTSD and want to be able to help people in a similar situation.

India is a burns survivor. She was three years old when her party dress caught on fire and she sustained 40% third degree burns.  India says ‘my scars make me unique, my accident made me resilient and my experiences from them have taught me empathy and provided the opportunity to meet other incredible survivors, and get involved in amazing charities like the Children’s Burns Trust’. 

Michelle is mum to burn survivor Charlie who at 15 months old pulled a large pan of boiling water over himself. Michelle and Charlie, who is now a teenager, are both keen to use their own experiences to help other children and families. Michelle loves to watch Charlie live his life to the full, happy and adventurous in all that he does.

Liz is a consultant burns surgeon in the Birmingham Burns Service, looking after both children and adults with burn injuries. After completing surgical training in the West Midlands, she undertook a specialist burns fellowship in Chelmsford before taking up her consultant post in 2014.

She sustained a major scald injury as a toddler after pulling a kettle down onto herself. Her own experience as a burns patient over many years led to the decision to study medicine rather than her original plan of becoming a vet! Having experienced burns care as both a patient and a doctor, and as a mother to two young children, she is passionate about burns prevention as well as education and training for burns staff. She is delighted to become an ambassador with the Children’s Burns Trust and looks forward to working with the team.

Sue is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner for a Regional Burns Centre with over 25 years experience in burn care looking after both adults and children, and their families. She volunteers at family weekends and burn camp whenever she can to support the children and families.  An important part of her role is providing education on burn care and she is passionate about promoting prevention of burn injuries.

Clare is a Lead Nurse working as part of a multi-professional team in a UK Burns Centre. Her passion is caring for children/young people and families who have sustained a burn injury, ensuring they get a high standard of care both as an in-patient, out-patient and beyond.  Clare volunteers at group events and burn camps and enjoys supporting the children/young people and families.

Clare is passionate about promoting burn prevention and first aid advice.

As a teenager, Geo had meningitis and septicaemia which caused multiple health issues including severe skin loss to both of his legs. After the initial treatment for meningitis he was transferred to a specialist burns service where he spent many months as a patient on the burns ward as they managed the severe wounds.

“It took a while to recover and I found support by attending burn camp and slowly rebuilding my confidence; to play football with my friends, go to university, travel the globe and now in my 30’s with a daughter of my own to enjoy spending time with family and friends. I hope that my experience can help to support the work of Children’s Burns Trust”