A 14-year-old Barrow youngster – who suffered serious burns when he was a baby – has written a book to help others.
Charlie Whalley, a year nine pupil at Chetywnde School, was 15 months old when a pan of boiling water spilt in his kitchen and he sustained burns to 10 per cent of his body.
His book, Charlie’s Story, was co-edited by assistant headteacher Jill Robinson, who also bears scars from a burn injury.
Charlie has donated a copy of the book to the school library and said it’s not only to help the person who has been injured but the family too.
He said: “My story shows there is hope, raises awareness of burns in general and helps people to deal with it. This started off as a leaflet for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and it has just seemed to escalate from there.”
Miss Robinson, who was burnt on a camping stove in her early 20s, said when she found out about the book she was very happy to be involved.
“I was treated at the burns unit in Preston and I know it is a very difficult process to go through for everyone because the aftermath of the incident means hours and hours of changing dressings and it’s a long road to recovery. Being involved in something that gives a glimmer of hope is so worthwhile.”
Wednesday is National Burns Awareness Day and Charlie will feature as the case study for the national campaign.
Charlie, who plays for Preston North End football team, wanted to show that it was possible to achieve your goals even with a burn injury.
His mum, Michelle, said when Charlie was burnt there was nothing like it available to help the family.
She said: “When Charlie got burnt, I thought I’d ruined his life, and that our family life would never return to what it was. Well – he is thriving. So, the book was designed to give hope.
“The premise of the book was to create something to have a positive impact for burns survivors by being a tool and a resource they could read and turn to, to give them hope for their own recovery.”
The book is not-for-profit and will also raise funds for the Children’s Burns Trust charity to help in their key work on awareness and prevention.
Charlie and his family have fundraised to print 5,000 copies plus distribution costs to all burns units in the UK.
For more information about the Children’s Burns Trust visit https://www.cbtrust.org.uk
