Minister backs local burned children’s support group

Health Minister, Angela Smith has met representatives of the Burned Children’s Club, Great Britain to discuss the formation of a support group in Northern Ireland.

Mrs Smith, who is Patron of the Club and whose Headquarters are in her Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, attended a meeting between the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade, the Burns Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Burned Children’s Club, Great Britain, to discuss the setting up of a branch in the province.

She said: “I am delighted to support this very worthwhile cause. I have been involved with the Burned Children’s Club for some years now and am very proud to be its Patron. I have seen at first hand the great work that all the volunteers do for the Club to support children who have been burned, and their families.

“I hope that Northern Ireland will very soon have its own Branch of the Burned Children’s Club so that more of our children can benefit from its valuable work.”

The Burned Children’s club, which was founded in 1995, aims to support young burns victims, their carers and families through the years of challenge and trauma that come in the wake of burns injuries.

Every year, two groups of children between the ages of 8 and 18 enjoy a week at Grafham Water Centre, Cambs. The first week is for members of the club based at St Andrews, the second week is open to young burns victims from across the UK.

(MB)