The Scar Free Foundation has been awarded The Sun’s Military Award, “The Millie”, in Innovation. The award recognises the unique partnership between the Foundation and the CASEVAC Club for the pioneering research underway at The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research (CfCWR). The Centre, based on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham site, has a range of partners including The Centre for Appearance Research at UWE Bristol, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham. The Centre is also strongly supported by the CASEVAC Club, comprised of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, who are continuing to serve by using their experiences to improve the outcomes of future conflict survivors.

Research at the Centre focuses on advancing the rehabilitation and recovery of servicemen and women wounded on the battlefield, and of civilians injured in terrorist incidents. Research includes developing a wound dressing to speed up and improve the healing process, testing laser treatments to improve scarred skin and investigating the psychosocial impact of appearance-altering injuries on UK military personnel, ex-service personnel, and their families.

Brendan Eley, Chief Executive of The Scar Free Foundation, said: “We’re truly humbled but delighted to have won a Millie for our work at the Centre for Conflict Wound Research, a crucial part in helping us to achieve our overall goal to eliminate scarring and transform the lives of millions of people across the world.”

Professor Naiem Moiemen, Director of The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, added: “The Centre for Conflict Wound Research winning the Military award for Innovation is testament to the hard work of everyone involved, and I’d like to thank all the staff, our partners and of course The Scar Free Foundation.”

“The Millies” 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 awards ceremony took place at Banqueting House, Whitehall on Thursday 6th February, with key attendees including the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, who hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street beforehand.