Support

Our group is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who are here to give you all the advise and help that you may need in coming to terms with a burn injury. They come from all walks of life and some are burns victims too! Many are Doctors, Nurses, Therapists and other Health Professionals, while a growing number come from the Fire and Police Services. All volunteers are checked against Police records. Volunteers are vital to the success of 'the burned children's club' and the Burns Camp.

Throughout the year we organise many events that all the family can take part in, have a look at our Diary to see what coming along. Some of these are BBQ's, Competitions, Fundays, and Family Weekends at Grafham Water. This is where we hold our annual Burn's Camp.

Sponsored Events are crucial to the running of the group and without us holding these, we would not be able to offer the support that we can. So it would be great if you can help us in anyway to raise much needed funds.

'Have a word'

Share your experiences with us, either as a burns survivor or a family member. Tell us about your feelings and emotions, your highs and lows. Who has helped you, such as a Nurse, a Doctor, a Relation or a Friend. How have you coped with the trauma. Did the hospital give you support. Please share your thoughts, which may help others in a similar situation.

Send us an E-Mail and we will publish your story.

My life was really quite normal, I had a job and was enjoying life, but in November 1998 something happened that changed my life forever and it also made me look at life in a different way. My daughter 'Terri' who was just under 2 years old at the time was involved in a very serious house fire where she received 80% burns  to  her body. I remember some very long and lonely days sitting in her hospital room just listening to the machines bleeping away. I was a very shy person and wouldn’t speak to anyone. As time went on I slowly become stronger, but still felt very alone. I remember thinking at the time that there was no or very little support for me and it felt very weird. I also remember looking on the walls of the 'burns unit' and seeing posters for the 'burned children’s club' but I thought, this wasn’t for me and I would never want 'Terri' to go (I was trying to protect her at the time).

I remember talking to Pat, but at the time nothing seem to be sinking in. After 8 long months we were finally allowed home and that is when everything hit me. It was a very strange feeling, I was scared to do anything. I remember going to outpatients a lot and at one time we bumped into Pat. Pat invited us to a event. We went along but, I was still shy and again, didn’t speak to anyone. By the end of the event, I had spoken to loads of people who have gone through all the things we have gone through. 'Terri' really enjoyed it too and was really happy. Then as time went on, I started to go to the meetings at the 'burns club' everyone one there was really friendly and helpful, soon I was getting involved in all sorts of things and it made me more confident. As time went on Pat came up to me and asked if me if I would like to start a support group with Rob Gowans for parents and families of children who have been burnt, of course, we said yes. Well we had a few meetings and not many turned up so we decided to have a weekend away so that all the families could come and just relax. Well, at the first one I was really nervous and thought, what am I doing as I have never done anything like this before. But it really helped me to come out of myself and also I made loads of new friends. I think all the families and helpers came away with something that has helped them. We have done some more family weekends and everyone of them have got better. If it wasn’t for the 'burns club' then I would have gone mad, which would have just shut 'Terri' and myself away. I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has helped us both and made us both strong.

Paul Calvesbert