7/7 20 years on: Sue and Charlotte speak to the BBC

• ‘I want my London 7/7 bombings scars to help others’ 

Today, Monday 7 July 2025, marks 20 years since the 7/7 London Bombings – a series of attacks across the capital which killed 52, injured almost 800, and changed countless lives forever.

Scar Free Ambassador Sue Greenwood and Scar Free Deputy Chief Executive Charlotte spoke to the BBC, sharing Sue’s experience as a survivor, and explaining how our Ambassadors inform meaningful research which improves the lives of those with complex, high-velocity wounds and scars.

Sue was 29 years old when, on her regular commute to work, one of the bombers approached her on a tube carriage, telling her she’d have a ‘good day’. Shortly afterwards, Sue’s life changed forever.

• ‘My left leg had to be amputated above the knee. My right was severely damaged and required skin and fat grafts to cover the blast wounds.
• I had lacerations, cuts and burns all over my body, and many other injuries. I had around 30 operations in one year’

Sue’s story is a remarkable tale of resilience, determination and emotional honesty. We are so grateful that Sue has shared this journey with us, and that she continues to be a supportive Ambassador and research ally.

Read Sue and Char’s BBC interview

Charlotte was working one of her first jobs near Hyde Park when news of the attacks reached her offices. Soon, she was evacuated out and acutely remembers walking home towards East wondering how the atrocities would shape the future of the capital.

20 years later, she’s our Deputy Chief Executive, working with Scar Free Ambassadors like Sue to support meaningful and relevant research projects into blast and high-velocity wounds.

• ‘One of the areas of our work is conflict wounds and blast injuries.
• These are typically the type of injuries caused by bombs, caused by velocity, and they are particularly complex and difficult injuries to treat.
• This velocity, this blast, how does it impact wound healing and what can we do with that knowledge to develop better treatments?’

You can explore the research we’re undertaking to support those injured in conflict settings and terror-related incidents here.

Watch the BBC interview