Afternoon Tea with our Patron HRH The Countess of Wessex & Young Ambassadors

In advance of the United Nations’s World Children’s Day on Saturday 20 November, four of our Young Ambassadors made a special visit to St James' Palace this week, to met our wonderful patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex for afternoon tea.

Delilah (aged 12), Elizabeth (age 8), Abi (age 10) and Emily (age 11) joined The Countess at the Palace along with their mothers. Scar Free CEO Brendan, and all-round all-star Amanda even managed to secure an invite too.

Her Royal Highness heard the Young Ambassadors’ stories about what it is like to live with scarring. Delilah and Elizabeth are both burns survivors, having been involved in accidents when they were younger. Emily and Abi have scarring from being born with cleft lip and palate.

Delilah said to HRH “People would stare and when I was growing up children would be scared to play with me. But I learned to explain – ‘This is me. These are my scars – they don’t hurt’.”

Delilah also explained to The Countess how her fingers haven’t fully formed due to the burn injury which can make some aspects of daily life difficult. Elizabeth shared with Her Royal Highness how her burn injuries have left her without fully formed fingers or fingerprints so – when she is old enough – she won’t be able to use some machines at school or use a mobile phone.

Elizabeth’s mum Sinead, and Delilah’s mum, Sophie, both spoke about the itching caused by scarring and how difficult that can be to experience on a daily basis.

Abi and Emily told the Countess how they are so grateful. as the Scar Free Foundation has brought them - and lots of other Ambassadors - together.