The Scar Free Foundation – based at the Institute of Translational Medicine – has won one of The Sun’s prestigious Military Awards for pioneering research carried out in partnership with Birmingham Health Partners founder members UoB and UHB, aiming to advance the rehabilitation and recovery of injured servicemen and women.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson helped hand out the awards – affectionately dubbed the Millies – which honour serving personnel and reservists for acts of sacrifice and gallantry during the past year, and pay tribute to the companies and charities that have supported the Armed Forces community.
The Scar Free Foundation received an award for Innovation, in recognition of its unique partnership with The CASEVAC Club and pioneering research underway at The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research. The centre is based within the Healthcare Technologies Institute and is a partnership with the University of Birmingham, the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England), and the CASEVAC injured veterans club. It aims to develop new approaches to reduce, and eventually eliminate scarring altogether.
The award ceremony took place at Banqueting House, Whitehall, and was attended by the Secretary of State for Defence, The Rt Hon Ben Wallace, who hosted a reception at Downing Street beforehand.
The Scar Free Foundation has always enjoyed a close relationship with the Armed Forces and veteran community and hopes its work will improve the outcomes for those injured in conflict, both now and in the future.