We are all concerned with our appearance. How we look, to ourselves, our family, friends and to people we pass in the street, like it or not, is important. The Healing Foundation is the only national charity supporting research across such a broad spectrum of disfigurement and appearance concerns. From pioneering research into the potential of scarless healing and tissue ‘regeneration’, to developing new treatments for people affected psychologically by an altered or unusual appearance.

I have seen first hand the impact that burns, scars from accidents or the effects of disfiguring disease can have on a person’s life. I’ve witnessed the incredible skill of the surgeons who restore function and the care staff who provide life-saving support. I have also questioned my own reactions to people who ‘look different’. This is challenging and compelling work.

As Appeal Chairman of the Healing Foundation, my job is to ensure that we have the money to invest in new areas of science, support and understanding. Our work, and the generosity of Healing Foundation donors, will ensure that new treatments can be made available and new forms of support can be offered for the many thousands of people – both in the UK and worldwide – who live with disfigurement.

I implore you to help.