Scar Free Trustee’s skydive lands thousands for research

Friday 5 June 2026

After months of fundraising, preparation, and anticipation, Hemani Modasia-Shah jumped from 12,000 feet to fundraise for The Scar Free Foundation!

The skydive challenge was inspired by a cause deeply personal to Hemani, a burns survivor, GP, Scar Free Trustee and Ambassador, who has spent years using her experiences to advocate for better scar treatments, greater awareness, and research funding.

Thanks to Hemani and the incredible generosity of her supporters, Hemani has now raised almost £5,000 to help fund pioneering research that could transform the future for millions of people affected by scarring.

Dr Hemani Modasia-Shah swaps her GP surgery for the skies! Image credit: Go Skydive

Reflecting on why she signed up for the challenge, Hemani said:

• “A Scar Free world would mean a world where people didn’t stare at me and point. I would have had “normal” school holidays rather than operations twice a year growing up.
• I wouldn’t have to explain to every hairdresser that I have a prosthetic ear and why I have a big bald patch. I wouldn’t have to explain to my son why my skin is different to other people.
• If me jumping 12,000 feet out of the sky pushes us even a tiny step closer to that…bring it on!”

Everyone at The Scar Free Foundation would like to congratulate Hemani on this incredible achievement! Thank you to everyone who donated, shared her fundraising page and cheered her on along the way.

But Hemani’s contribution to The Scar Free Foundation extends far beyond her recent challenge.

Charlotte (left), The Scar Free Foundation’s Deputy Chief Executive, and Hemani (right) ready to welcome attendees at the first-ever Scar Free Foundation Community Event at Carnegie Library in Herne Hill.

Hemani very recently played a central role in the Scar Free Foundation’s first-ever Community Event, helping to bring together people living with keloid scars, researchers, clinicians, and supporters for an evening of learning, connection and shared understanding.

Hemani was instrumental in shaping an experience that put lived experience at its heart, and, on the day, Hemani was a welcoming presence: sharing her story, supporting attendees, and helping to foster the event’s open atmosphere.

Drawing on her own journey as a burns survivor, she helped ensure the event reflected the priorities, questions and experiences of the scar community, creating meaningful opportunities for attendees to connect, share their stories and engage directly with researchers.

Her insight, enthusiasm and commitment helped demonstrate the power of bringing together people affected by scarring with those working to advance research and treatment.

Whether Hemani’s helping to shape the Foundation’s future as a Trustee, sharing her experiences as an Ambassador, supporting community initiatives or taking on extraordinary fundraising challenges like this skydive, Hemani continues to be a driving force behind our mission.

We are incredibly grateful for everything Hemani does to support The Scar Free Foundation and the wider scar community.

Every donation given through Hemani’s skydive brings us one step closer to a future where no one has to live with the lifelong impact of scarring.

Representing in red! The Scar Free Foundation team are so thankful to Hemani’s ongoing commitment to our mission. Image credit: Go Skydive