Rebecca's Christmas Charity Pub Quiz! I am kick-starting my fundraising journey, with a Christmas pub quiz this December to raise some money for Chelsea & Westminster (C&W) hospital Burns unit and their scar management research.

In July 2022, I accidentally fell into a firepit and suffered severe, 3rd degree burns to my right arm and also to my face, luckily not as severe as the arm. This resulted in my having to undergo skin graft surgery at the C&W. I have set up this JustGiving page to ask for your support to further the research for the wonderful Burns & Scar Management units at the C&W Hospital.

While I am now recovering and on the mend, it is an ongoing process, one with regular setbacks and an incredibly tough and traumatic journey, and it will be years until my arm looks ‘normal’ again. I am so grateful to my friends and everyone who was there for saving me, for my amazing family's support, and for the inspiring medical teams at the C&W. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

I hope to feel brave enough one day to share the photos of my arm and my journey, but right now I am only choosing the ones I feel comfortable sharing.

Every year, over 250,000 people in the UK suffer from burns. Children and the elderly are the most frequent victims. Currently, there is no way of preventing scarring or successfully treating burns through medication alone. While skin graft surgery is needed for severe burns, scar management is still a new concept and often regarded as merely cosmetic. Permanent scarring can be psychologically damaging for many people.

The NHS has made major progress in the treatment of severe burns injuries, but still needs charity funding to continue their world-class research helping victims recover. Burns and scarring are also relatively neglected in medical research, and there is insufficient NHS funding for treatment. 

I am excited to be part in a current study at the C&W, where they are assessing the impact of early laser treatment on the healing of scars. This important research is entirely charity funded and so through this page, I hope to raise funds and awareness for this vital and under-funded research to continue their progress and for the Burns Unit at C&W. This is my way of giving back and expressing my gratitude and admiration for the skill and dedication there. I hope to see this as ongoing fundraising, through different events in the years to come.

Hope you can support and give generously to this worthy cause which is now very close to my heart!