THE family of a young girl from Cwmbran who was hit by a stray firework last year have organised a charity motorbike ride to raise money for the Children's Burns Trust.
Rosie-May Mason, who was four-years-old at the time, spent five weeks in Morriston Hospital in Swansea after being hit by the firework.
Rosie-May’s mother, Ellie Mason, said: “We never really do the big firework displays, instead just having little displays as a family. Last year we did them with our friends. One of the multi-shot fireworks hit her in the neck. Instinctively she moved her head down in pain. Her coat caught on fire.
“I think it’s important for people to know what we went through as a family to raise awareness of firework safety.
“We were taken to Royal Gwent Hospital where we were told we had to be sent Morriston Hospital in Swansea.
“She endured five weeks in hospital, having to have many baths to clean the burns, and a surgical scrub.
“She had the other side of her head shaved and she had a skin graft which was taken from her scalp.
“We then had many weeks of weekly visits back to Swansea for dressing changes.
“We were given a lot of support from the Children’s Burns Trust. They gave us financial support with travel costs which was really helpful, especially as it was just before Christmas.
“It was terrifying at the time. She has been really brave. She says that the scars are a part of herself now.
“She’s my inspiration. She’s taken it all in her stride.
“She said she doesn't want anyone else to go through what she did.”
Having already done a few fundraisers for the Children’s Burns Trust, the family have now organised a charity motorbike ride from Thunder Road in Cwmbran to the Owl's Nest diner in Llandovery.
Mrs Mason said: “My husband rides bikes. The biking community is very close-knit and is very supportive. More than 100 people have signed up to come along on the ride.
“Another group from Aberystwyth have organised to meet us there."
The ride takes place on Sunday October 21, starting at 10am and taking about an hour.
To find out more about Rosie-May’s story and the charity motorbike ride, or to make a donation, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/cbt-rosiemay17
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