Teenager takes on new challenge

Less than a year ago Becky Brown, 17, suffered 50 per cent burns to her body and spent a month on the Intensive Care Unit at Pinderfields Hospital before being transferred to the Children’s Regional Burns Unit, where the team began the process of rehabilitation and recovery with her.

Through her burns physiotherapist, Becky has attended a five-day burns camp at Coniston in Cumbria with 15 other young adults who had all suffered similar injuries.

Ghyll scrambling, canoeing and raft building are just some of the activities the Leeds teenager was given the chance to sample.

“The camp was brilliant,” said Becky, who is working towards her Duke of Edinburgh Award. “I was very apprehensive about going as I didn’t know anyone else and wasn’t sure what to expect. I needn’t have worried though as everybody was really welcoming and I made some good friends.”

Becky, who raised £1,000 for the MY Burns Club and Children’s Regional Burns Unit when she completed the Leeds Half Marathon, was encouraged by the positive comments from others regarding her scarring.

Ann Sanderson, specialist burns physiotherapist at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Camps like this can play a hugely important role in the recovery of patients like Becky. As well as giving them the opportunity to try new activities in a safe environment, it helps them to overcome issues of self-confidence that may have developed as a result of their injuries; share their stories with others and generally help them to better cope and come to terms with what has happened to them. Becky is an amazing person. The camp has truly helped her to believe more in herself and I’m proud of what she has achieved.”