Meet the Founders of the Children’s Burns Foundation: Professor Mamta Shah and Dr Sarah Gaskell

Behind every impactful charity is a story of dedication, compassion, and vision. The Children’s Burns Foundation is no exception. At the heart of our organisation are two inspiring founders—Professor Mamta Shah, our Chair, and Dr Sarah Gaskell, our Secretary—whose expertise and passion for supporting young burn survivors have shaped the Foundation’s mission: to ensure that scars don’t limit potential.

Let’s introduce you to the remarkable individuals behind the Children’s Burns Foundation, their motivations for starting the charity, and their hopes for its future.

Professor Mamta Shah, Chair

Professor Mamta Shah is a renowned specialist in paediatric burns care and reconstructive surgery, with over 20 years of experience working with children affected by burn injuries. Her career has been defined by a commitment to improving outcomes for young survivors and finding innovative ways to enhance their physical and emotional recovery.

Professor Shah is also a passionate advocate for advancing research in burns care. Over the years, her work has contributed to ground-breaking findings that have significantly improved treatments and recovery processes for paediatric burn patients. Her expertise extends beyond clinical care—she is widely published in the field and has mentored the next generation of burn specialists.

When asked about her motivation for co-founding the Children’s Burns Foundation, Professor Shah shared: "Working with young burn survivors, I’ve seen firsthand how much support they need—not just medically, but emotionally and socially. Recovery goes far beyond physical healing. I wanted to create an organisation that addresses the full spectrum of challenges these children and their families face, while also funding the research that can transform future care."

Dr Sarah Gaskell, Secretary

Dr Sarah Gaskell is a dedicated psychologist specialising in the emotional well-being of children and adolescents. She has worked extensively with young burn survivors, helping them navigate the psychological challenges that often accompany life-changing injuries. Dr Gaskell is a leading voice in promoting the importance of emotional resilience and mental health as integral parts of recovery for burn survivors.

Her deep understanding of the psychological impact of burns—on both children and their families—led her to co-found the Children’s Burns Foundation alongside Professor Shah. Together, they envisioned a charity that would offer a holistic approach to recovery, combining world-class medical care with emotional and social support.

Dr Gaskell explained her reasons for founding the charity: "I’ve seen how burn injuries can leave deep emotional scars, not just physical ones. Families often feel isolated and overwhelmed, and children face challenges that many of us can’t even imagine. I wanted to be part of a solution that provides these families with the tools and support they need to rebuild their lives."

Why They Started the Foundation

The idea for the Children’s Burns Foundation was born out of a shared desire to create a charity that goes beyond traditional medical care. Both Professor Shah and Dr Gaskell recognised the gaps in existing support systems for young burn survivors and their families.

Burn injuries are complex, affecting every aspect of a child’s life—from their physical recovery to their confidence, relationships, and future aspirations. They believed that a comprehensive, child-centred approach to rehabilitation was essential, and the Children’s Burns Foundation was established to fulfil this vision.

Their goals for the Foundation include:

Supporting Rehabilitation: Providing funding for innovative rehabilitation programmes, such as therapy camps, online counselling, and activity days that help children rebuild their confidence and sense of identity.
Advancing Research: Investing in ground-breaking research to improve burn treatments, reduce scarring, and enhance recovery outcomes.
Raising Awareness: Ensuring that the challenges faced by burn survivors are recognised and understood by the wider community, while also promoting burn prevention education.
Creating a Network of Support: Building a strong network of families, professionals, and volunteers who can work together to empower young survivors and their families.

Goals and Plans for the Future

As they look to the future, Professor Shah and Dr Gaskell have ambitious plans for the Children’s Burns Foundation. Some of their priorities include:

Expanding Services: Introducing new initiatives that provide tailored support for different age groups, including teens transitioning into adulthood.
Strengthening Partnerships: Collaborating with hospitals, schools, and community organisations to ensure burn survivors and their families have access to the best resources available.
Broadening Research Efforts: Supporting more extensive studies into the psychological and genetic factors that influence recovery, with the goal of finding better treatments and solutions.
Inspiring Fundraising Efforts: Encouraging individuals, businesses, and communities to join the cause through creative fundraising events and challenges.

Their ultimate vision is to create a world where scars—whether physical or emotional—don’t limit any child’s potential.

Join Us in Supporting Their Vision

Whether you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, organising a fundraiser, or supporting the Foundation through donations, there are countless ways to get involved. Together, we can help young burn survivors thrive and create a brighter future for all.

Visit our Contact Page to learn more about how you can support the Children’s Burns Foundation and join us in making a lasting impact.