News — Scar Free

His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex Visits Centre for Conflict Wound Research

April 04, 2019

His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex visited The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, last month.

His Royal Highness observed our scar free research, including an anti-scarring gel dressing for use in austere environments and was particularly interested in how we collaborate with key partners to address the challenges in acute care, long-term impact and psychological effects of conflict related injuries.

Chief Of The Defence Staff Appointed Vice President

April 04, 2019

We are delighted to announce that General Sir Nick Carter has accepted our invitation to become a Vice President of The Scar Free Foundation.

Veterans' Psychological Study

April 04, 2019

The UNITS Study (Understanding Needs and Interventions For Treatment of Scarring) is a psychological project which seeks to identify the best way to support serving and ex-serving personnel and their families whose appearance has been affected by a conflict related injury.

The Study, led by the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England, is one of the projects underway at The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research.

Scar Free Hrh Birmingham Social Media 213

Call For Participants For Conflict Wound Appearance Study

March 05, 2019

Following His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex's recent visit to The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, we are calling on ex-serving personnel who have sustained an appearance altering injury whilst in military conflict to take part in an important psychological project.

Appointment Of Chief Scientific Adviser

December 11, 2018

We are delighted to announce that Professor Paul Stewart has been appointed as The Scar Free Foundation's Chief Scientific Adviser.

Media Coverage of Centre for Conflict Wound Research

November 14, 2018

Yesterday our Royal Patron HRH The Countess of Wessex opened The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research. The opening received attention across both local and national media. We are delighted to share some of the key coverage from the day. All coverage can be reviewed here.

World's First Specialist Research Centre Aims to Eliminate Scarring within a Generation

November 13, 2018

The first military and civilian wound research centre of its kind in the world was officially opened by Scar Free Foundation Patron Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham today, aiming to minimise the psychological and physical impact of scarring among armed forces personnel and civilians wounded in terrorist attacks.

The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research is a ground-breaking national facility that marks a vital step in achieving the charity’s goal of achieving scar free healing within a generation. The opening was featured across local and national media, highlights of which are available here.

Lois' First Scar Family Event

November 12, 2018

Lois Collier (pictured with Scar Free Ambassadors Pam Warren and Dan Jackson) formed Scar Family after an attack which left her with scarring on her face. Lois became a Scar Free Ambassador this year and is now very involved with the Foundation.

We caught up with Lois at her first ever Scar Family event in September, from which she donated the proceeds to The Scar Free Foundation.

Annual Scar Free Showcase

November 12, 2018

We describe the journey to scar free healing as like climbing a mountain, with scar free healing at the summit. Recent scientific breakthroughs, coupled with the important research we have directed to date, has meant that the summit of the mountain is now, for the first time, visible and in reach.

Our annual Showcase, hosted at the British Medical Association, brought together our research teams from Bristol and Birmingham to present on how their work contributes to this important pursuit.

New Appointment to The Scar Free Foundation UK Burns Research Network

November 12, 2018

We are delighted to announce that Dr David Mackie has joined The Scar Free Foundation UK Burns Research Network supported by the VTCT Foundation, as Chairman of its Advisory Panel.

A Parent's View On the Cleft Collective

June 12, 2018

Cleft lip and palate is the most common facial birth defect in the world, with approximately 1,200 children in the UK born with a cleft each year. Our Scar Free Ambassador, Ana Hobbs, whose daughter Abigail was born with a cleft palate, is a vital member of the Cleft Collective Advisory Panel.

The Panel oversees The Scar Free Foundation Cleft Gene Bank & Cohort Study at the University of Bristol. With over 2,000 families recruited to it, the study provides unprecedented insight into the genetic and environmental factors behind cleft, will inform new treatments, and help us to better understand the life-long impact of cleft.

Having been on the Advisory Panel for just over a year, we caught up with Ana to find out more about her experience, and why a parent’s point of view for this research is so important.

Involvement Reception at the Ministry of Defence

June 12, 2018

In April this year we hosted a reception at the Ministry of Defence Main Building in London. The event brought together our Ambassadors and volunteers along with our researchers and clinicians, and provided information on how they could contribute to our scar free mission.

Tristian 3 Month Old Months Before The Cleft Lip Repair Surgery

Renewed support for vital cleft research group

May 11, 2018

The Scar Free Foundation has committed to fund the work of the Cleft & Craniofacial Conditions Clinical Studies Group (CCC CSG), in partnership with the Craniofacial Society of Great Britain and Ireland, for a further three years. Part of the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network for Children, the CCC CSG provides cleft and craniofacial researchers with advice on study development, at any stage but in particular at the initial stages of planning and study design.

Donate to Andy's Marathon Challenge

April 12, 2018

We are delighted that Andy Helliwell will be running this year's Milton Keynes Marathon for The Scar Free Foundation. Please consider donating here. We caught up with Andy to find out how training was going and to find out his motivation for supporting our work.

First Look at Centre for Conflict Wound Research

April 10, 2018

With lead funding from HM Treasury and J P Moulton Charitable Foundation, we will later this year open The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research. The Centre, based at the University of Birmingham, will bring together uniformed and civilian scientists and clinicians to investigate how the body heals and protects itself following the types of trauma common to conflicts (chemical, burn, and blast injury) and to spearhead the development of new treatments, from the point of injury through to rehabilitation. Ahead of opening, our Office and Finance Manager Amanda made her first visit to Birmingham to meet the team who will be leading the research, and to see the new labs in which the Centre will be housed.

Government supports important step towards scar free healing

November 15, 2017

Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans to play leading role in Scar Free Future - thanks to new £4.5 million UK-first research centre.

Lord James Bethell becomes Development Board Chairman

October 02, 2017

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Lord James Bethell (pictured right, with Chief Executive Brendan Eley) as Chairman of The Scar Free Foundation's Development Board. James will also join The Scar Free Foundation Board of Trustees later this month.

Podcast Interview with Scar Free Ambassador India Gale & Surgeon Peter Dziewulski

October 02, 2017

Our summer reception, at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, focused on the vital research we direct in the treatment of children's burns and scars.

Scar Free in Focus

May 25, 2017

Professor Naiem Moiemen (pictured right with Principal Researcher Robert Dinsdale) is Director of The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Burns Research at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. We spoke to Naiem about SIFTI-II (Scientific Investigation of the Biological Pathways Following Thermal Injury), a major cohort study which is investigating what happens in the body following a serious burn injury, and tracks the cellular processes behind scarring.

Military Reception at Henry VIII Wine Cellar

May 25, 2017

In March we held our first supporter event of the year at the historic Henry VIII Wine Cellar, housed deep within the Ministry of Defence building in Whitehall. The venue is, along with Banqueting House, all that remains of the once magnificent Whitehall Palace. The evening, hosted by Chief of Defence People General Richard Nugee, celebrated the close association between The Scar Free Foundation and the Armed Forces.

Professor Peter Weissberg becomes Research Council Chairman

April 25, 2017

Professor Peter Weissberg CBE (pictured left) was today appointed as Chairman of The Scar Free Foundation's Research Council. As the former Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation Professor Weissberg brings unparalleled experience of driving breakthrough medical and scientific research. Professor Weissberg takes over from Professor Sir John Temple (pictured right), who has held the Chairmanship since 2004 and has recently been appointed President of the British Medical Association.

Scar Free in Focus

February 22, 2017

Dr Amber Young is a Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist at University Hospital Bristol and is the clinical lead for The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Children's Burns Research. We spoke to Amber about a new dressing that detects infection through a simple colour change. This dressing is currently being trialed in collaboration with Professor Toby Jenkins (pictured with Amber) and the University of Bath.

Spencer Murphy Photoshoot

February 22, 2017

Spencer Murphy is a London-based photographer whose distinctive portraits feature in the National Portrait Gallery's permanent collection. He is the winner of the prestigious Taylor Wessing Potrait Prize (2013) and the Sony World Photography Awards (2014).

Thank you to all our supporters

February 22, 2017

Last year we launched the Scar Free Appeal. Our £24 million fundraising campaign will support 10 years of research towards kick-starting our goal of bringing scar free healing treatments to patients by 2045.

2017 Aesthetic Fellowship Launched

January 16, 2017

Applications are now open for the BAAPS/BAPRAS Aesthetic Fellowship. The fellowships are designed to support post-CCT Trainee Plastic Surgeons wishing to learn skils in Aesthetic Surgery and Medicine.

Interested in becoming a Scar Free Foundation Elective Supervisor?

October 27, 2016

The Scar Free Foundation will shortly be launching a call for applications for the 2017 Scar Free Foundation Student Elective Awards.

We are seeking experienced academic supervisors to support recipients of Elective funding.

Sir Bruce Keogh becomes Scar Free Foundation Chairman

October 18, 2016

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh has become Chairman of The Scar Free Foundation. Sir Bruce, National Medical Director of NHS England and a Scar Free Foundation Trustee since 2014, took over from Stuart Rose, Lord Rose of Monewden, at a meeting of the Board on Tuesday 18 October 2016.

Scar Free Healing in the news

July 19, 2016

The publication of The Scar Free Foundation’s Research Strategy was widely followed by a range of national and regional media and broadcast outlets. Below are some of the highlights from the coverage

Publication Day

July 19, 2016

The Scar Free Foundation’s major medical research campaign to achieve scar free healing within a generation was launched in London on 19 July 2016.

Tinplate workers supporting Scar Free campaign

July 08, 2016

The Scar Free Foundation is delighted to have been selected as the 2020 Charity Appeal beneficiary of The Worshipful Company of Tinplate Workers alias Wire Workers.

Scar Free team showcase burns research work

July 01, 2016

An international audience of burns professionals, researchers and academics joined members of The Scar Free Foundation Children’s Burns Research Centre in Bristol on 1 July to share and develop recent and emerging research work in the area of paediatric burns.

The Scar Free Appeal Private Launch at St James' Place

November 24, 2015

Over 200 guests attended the launch of the private stage of The Scar Free Appeal at St James’s Palace yesterday evening where the charity’s Patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex, spoke movingly of her experiences meeting survivors of scarring and disfiguring conditions.

Scar Free Appeal receives first £1 million gift from The VTCT Foundation

November 15, 2015

A £1 million donation has boosted The Scar Free Foundation’s ambition to deliver Scar Free therapies within a generation, just as the charity launches its £24 million Scar Free Appeal.

World-leading researchers join Scar Free Ambition

October 17, 2015

Some of the most respected researchers in wound healing, bioengineering and stem cell research have joined The Scar Free Healing Foundation to shape a programme of work that will deliver scar free healing within a generation.