Across every part of our work, from trailblazing research to the voices of survivors, 2025 has seen us take new steps towards a future where lives aren’t impacted by scars.

This wouldn’t have been possible without the compassion and commitment of our community.

As you read this year’s highlights, we hope you’ll feel proud of what we’ve achieved together – and inspired to continue on this mission with us.

Research

This year, we continued to push the boundaries of scar free healing through pioneering research projects and major new awards.

We were delighted to announce the Amber Young Burns Research Fellowship has been officially awarded for a first-of-its-kind paediatric burns research project.

This £20,000 Fellowship is only made possible due to the generosity of the late Professor Amber Young, a globally renowned paediatric burns specialist who was a close friend of the Foundation. We’re excited to share more soon!

The AFTER Study launch marked the UK’s first research into the long-term psychological and relational impacts of conflict-related genital injuries. Co-led between RAND Europe, King’s College London, Manchester Metropolitan University and in collaboration with Combat Stress, this landmark project will shape evidence-based support for veterans and their partners, thanks to a transformational grant from Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Arooj Qaiser, a Nottingham University medical student, received the 2025 Scar Free Elective Award for a project focused on enhancing existing treatments for severe burns. Meanwhile, Major Harry Claireaux was awarded the first ever Defence Medical Services–Scar Free Foundation PhD, exploring the potential of advanced bioactive glass to treat severe bone and wound injuries in hostile environments.

Following a worrying rise in hot drink burns among children, data published by the International Burn Injury Database, the Scar Free Foundation and Children’s Burns Trust partnered to relaunch the SafeTea campaign, which aims to raise awareness of hot drink injuries, promote safety, and reduce preventable burns and scalds at home.

And we were thrilled to celebrate a major honour: Professor Iain Whitaker, Chief Investigator for our Reconstructive Research Programme, was appointed OBE for his leadership in plastic surgery, regenerative medicine and training.

Fundraising

Fundraising firsts were very much the theme of 2025.

Scar Free Ambassador Lucy Wilson made history as the Foundation’s first-ever skydiver, bringing energy and visibility to our mission in a truly memorable way. ‘I’m doing this to push myself, to honour the resilience of burn survivors, and to raise awareness for a future where no one has to live with life-altering scarring’, Lucy said.

We had a first in London too, as Doug Meikle became our first representative at the London Marathon! His challenge raised vital funds and awareness for scar free healing, showing incredible dedication to supporting research.

A new Scar Free Foundation charity lottery was also launched, giving players a chance to win up to £25,000. Every ticket sold helps fund innovative projects, giving participants a chance to win while supporting life-changing science.

The Victory Belles Women’s Institute transformed homemade cakes into cutting-edge research when they raised £500 through crafts and raffles! Inspired by ultra-athlete, veteran and Scar Free Ambassador Karl Hinett, the Victory Belles also named us as their charity of the year!

People

Our Ambassadors once again brought powerful human insight to our work.

On World Sepsis Day, Dr Jaco Nel shared how a small cut led to life-changing diagnosis, amputations and scarring – reminding us that we never know when scarring may change our lives.

The 20th anniversary of 7/7 saw survivor Sue Greenwood and our Deputy CEO Charlotte Coates reflect on resilience and the transformative role of research on BBC News.

Dan Jackson starred alongside his son Dylan in the Prime Video series 007: Road to a Million, sharing his scarring journey and highlighting the strength of scar survivors.

And for Black History Month, Marian Adejokun spoke about surviving Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, celebrating identity, resilience, and healing after trauma.

Events

This year’s programme of events showcased the power of partnership, expertise and advocacy.

At St James’s Palace, our Royal Patron HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh hosted a high-level roundtable to advance SPARC, the Swansea–Panzi Alliance for Reconstruction and Care of conflict-related sexual violence survivors, driving global progress for survivors alongside Nobel Laureate Dr Dennis Mukwege and Professor Iain Whitaker OBE. Shortly after the roundtable, HRH and SPARC’s second vital trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo took place.

HRH also visited University of Bristol labs to see Scar Free Foundation research in action. She met researchers from the Martin and Richardson Labs, and members of Children of the 90s and Cleft Collective – a vital part of our genetic studies into why some people scar badly and others hardly at all.

We were honoured to welcome world-renowned psychiatrist and epidemiologist Professor Sir Simon Wessely as the speaker for our first-ever Scar Free Foundation Annual Lecture. Held at Apothecaries’ Hall, the evening brought together supporters, researchers, clinicians, and Ambassadors, for a thought-provoking evening.

At the House of Commons, MPs and Peers were wowed by the Swansea University 3D Bioface team live printing an ear – one of only five interactive research demonstrations selected from 75 charities for the AMRC Medical Research Charities Showcase!

Over the summer, Richard and Charlotte headed to NATO’s Medical Reserve Conference in Madrid to share expertise on conflict-related injuries, the future of wound healing, and how we rethink military medicine in the 2000s.

Thank you

Thank you to our researchers, Ambassadors, fundraisers, and supporters. None of the above would have been possible without you.

Your support continues to change lives for those affected by scarring, today and in the future.

We wish you all a restful holiday and a happy New Year!

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