No. We are an independent research charity. While we are situated on a NHS hospital site, our work is not NHS funded but instead funded by donations.

Much of the research we do is unique – nobody else in the world is doing it. In other cases the treatments available can be improved to make the life of those suffering much better.  Put simply – RAFT gives hope to those patients and their families who are affected by burns, wounds and skin cancer.

At RAFT, we are experts in skin. To help you understand some of the research we are carrying out, here are a few handy facts about skin.

• The skin is the body's largest organ
• Skin acts as a protective layer; it keeps out germs, senses our environment, and regulates body temperature
• Every square centimetre of skin has more than 200 nerve endings and almost 1.5 metres of blood vessels
• The average adult skin weighs about 4 kilograms and laid out flat would cover an area almost as big as a single bedsheet
• When exposed to sunlight, skin manufactures vitamin D, an essential nutrient
• The outer layer of skin, the epidermis, is shed continuously and replaced completely over the course of a month
• The skin protects the inner organs from the sun's harmful rays but can be permanently damaged by too much sun
• Wearing sunscreen can help prevent sunlight from forming damaging free radicals in the skin. Sun exposure is thought to be the cause of nine of every ten cases of skin cancer
• There are up to 5 million sweat glands in your skin
• Millions of hairs cover the skin, but not the lips, palms of the hands or soles of the feet
• Skin is waterproof but the outer layer can absorb water and swell up causing it to wrinkle if you spend too long in the bath. Toxic chemicals can also enter the body through the skin

Cancer is a disease resulting from uncontrolled growth of cells in the body (which is normally controlled). Skin cancer starts as abnormal and uncontrolled growth in cells of the skin. There are three types. Basal cell cancers (called rodent ulcers) arise from cells called keratinocytes. These are slow growing and less likely to be fatal than other cancers, but can cause extensive tissue damage particularly on the face where they commonly occur, thus early removal is vital. Malignant melanoma is a rapidly growing cancer (which usually starts as abnormal growth in a mole), and which arises from cells called melanocytes (which produce melanin during tanning and also for hair pigmentation). Unless removed in time, melanoma can be fatal from 6 months. Squamous cell cancers are more rare (arising from squamous epithelial cells), slow growing, but can spread and unlike basal cancers can be fatal. They can appear as an ulcer or reddish skin plaque, and develop from solar keratoses which form as a result of chronic sun damage.

Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer and rapidly fatal once spread. Melanoma is 80-90% related to sun-exposure; however, a small proportion is not and can occur in non sun-exposed sites of the body. Melanomas are surgically removed with a wide excision margin. Although surgical excision is effective in the early stages of cancer, once the disease has spread, this is no longer the case. Conventional treatments such as radiotherapy (melanoma is radio-resistant) and chemotherapy are ineffective against this particularly aggressive cancer.

In the UK 8,900 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year.  Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and melanoma is one of the few cancers to affect young adults being the most common cancer in young people (aged 15 – 34 years). Over 1,800 people die from melanoma each year, which is equivalent to 5 people every day.

Being resistant to both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, malignant melanoma is very difficult to treat and can be fatal once it spreads. However, if caught in the early stages it can be treated effectively.

Melanoma is 80-90% related to sun-exposure; however, a small proportion is not and can occur in non sun-exposed sites of the body.  Sunburn at any age nearly doubles the risk of malignant melanoma.  Using sunbeds under the age of 35 can increase your risk of developing melanoma by 75%.

People who have lots of moles do have a higher risk of getting melanoma, as well as those with fair skin, fair and red hair and people who are prone to freckles. Any skin type can develop skin cancer and we all need to be aware of the dangers of spending a lot of time in the sun.

If you notice any changes to your moles or your skin consult your GP straight away.

Yes. Basal cell cancers (called rodent ulcers) arise from cells called keratinocytes. These are slow growing and less likely to be fatal than other cancers, but can cause extensive tissue damage particularly on the face where they commonly occur, thus early removal is vital. Squamous cell cancers are more rare (arising from squamous epithelial cells), slow growing, but can spread and unlike basal cancers can be fatal. They can appear as an ulcer or reddish skin plaque, and develop from solar keratoses which form as a result of chronic sun damage.

Research by RAFT's Skin Cancer Research Group aims to identify how exposure to different parts of sunlight, specifically UVA and visible light, are involved in triggering the damage which can lead later to skin cancer. RAFT is also carrying out research into whether some people are more susceptible to developing skin cancer than others, and whether these people can take preventative action.

Our research could help make sunscreens more effective at protecting against UVA and free radical damage. We hope that the sunscreen industry will choose to use our research.

Our aim is to better understand how the different parts of sunlight damage skin of different types (i.e. different abilities to produce pigmentation “tan” and tendency to burn) and whether some people are more susceptible to damage than others. We also aim to understand the actual protection provided by commercial sunscreens, and the natural sunscreen melanin developed by nature and to improve protection. Our aim is to produce a sunscreen which is more broadly screening than those currently available for extra protection for the most vulnerable skin types. We also aim to work towards the production of a therapy for melanoma, which is currently untreatable.

Melanoma is still incurable even though treatment for other cancers is improving. It remains a significant challenge to cancer researchers to identify a cure.

Your support will help us to continue our work testing the efficacy of sunscreens and disseminate our findings the general public. It will also enable us to continue working towards an effective treatment of malignant melanoma and identifying those who are most susceptible to this disease.

Sunlight consists of radiation, which is divided into different regions and energies (or put simply, its ability to cause damage). The lowest energy is infrared which feels warm on the skin; then there is visible light which allows us to see things. The next higher in energy is ultra-violet radiation which is invisible and can only be detected by its effects on the skin. Ultraviolet is divided into UVA and UVB: UVB is higher energy and causes skin to redden and burn but UVA cannot be perceived and causes “silent“ damage to skin. In sunlight there is more UVA than UVB, and more visible light than ultraviolet light. During evolution, skin has evolved to burn after exposure to a very small amount of UVB, which results in the removal of skin from further radiation exposure. Burning is a reaction to DNA damage in skin cells, and DNA damage can lead to mutations and skin cancers if not repaired.

The best way of protecting yourself against skin cancer is to follow safe sun practice:

• Spend time in the shade between 11am - 3pm.
• Make sure you never burn.
• Try to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses.
• Use factor 15+ sunscreen.
• Take extra care with children, since melanoma is linked to sun damage in childhood.
• Early detection is key, if you notice any changes to your moles or skin consult your GP straight away.

Sunscreen should not be used to lengthen your stay in the sunshine (i.e. for prolonged sun-bathing), but can be used in combination with other protective measures for skin protection in strong sunlight. This is particularly the case for sensitive skin types.

Yes. People who are very fair skinned, with fair or red hair, are more at risk of developing melanoma and should take extra care when exposed to the sun. Darker skinned people do have some natural protection to the sun but should not consider themselves immune to developing melanoma.

Melanoma is 80-90% related to sun-exposure; however, a small proportion is not and can occur in non sun-exposed sites of the body. You do need to ensure that you thoroughly protect the parts of your skin that are more exposed to the sun, and sunscreen should not be used as a reason to stay in the sun for a longer length of time.

Use a sunscreen that protects against both UVA & UVB rays and has a five star rating.

Sunscreen manufacturers test sunscreens at a 2 mg/cm2 amount, which is generous. It is necessary to apply two layers in this amount if the sunscreen is rubbed into the skin to achieve the protection claimed on the bottle. There is an alternative, which is not to rub sunscreen in, and here more protection is achieved from one layer of cream. Most people are not using enough. At least three teaspoons full (about one sixth of a 200ml bottle) are needed to cover an adult body. On a two-week beach holiday, one person should expect to get through about eight bottles.

It is best to apply two layers of sunscreen, the first layer fills in cracks and lines and sweat glands when a sunscreen is rubbed into the skin and it is the second layer which provides the even covering necessary for protection (for a sunscreen to work, it has to be an even film). The skin surface is very uneven, and in a similar way to putting paint on a wall, the first layer is not effective and two coats are necessary.

No. A recent Government report has found a direct link between the use of sunbeds and skin cancer.

Remove clothing IMMEDIATELY (otherwise it will retain heat and worsen the burn). Place the burned area under cold running water for 15 minutes. If a large area has been burned, fill the bath with cold water and completely immerse the wounds. DO NOT use ice or ointments, which will have to be removed by hospital staff to assess the burn. Seek medical attention if necessary.

The thin visible epidermis and the much thicker deep dermis make up the skin’s two layers. The epidermis gives the skin its barrier function and the dermis gives it toughness, elasticity and bulk.

In superficial burns (first degree) only the epidermis is lost, where the damage extends into the dermis (second degree) the injury is more severe and healing can give rise to scarring. However, when the damage extends through the whole depth of the dermis (third degree) the trauma is very severe.

Every year, around 13,000 people require admission to hospital due to burn injury. 60% of these are children. During 2010-2011, nearly 400 people died in the UK for fire-related injuries. Although children make up over half of all hospital admissions due to fire injuries, it is the elderly who suffer some of the highest proportion of deaths.

Yes, in leg ulcers, pressure sores, after surgical removal of skin cancers and through trauma. Around 200,000 patients have chronic leg ulcers; there are around 100 amputation operations performed every week due to non-healing ulcers.

It is a biological ‘scaffold’ material, which encourages the rapid ingrowth of blood vessels when it is placed onto a deep wound. Cells from the body grow into it, forming a living layer of tissue, the new ‘dermis’ that had been lost. Once a blood supply has grown into the new ‘dermis’, a thin split-thickness skin graft can be placed over it to close the wound. This skin graft replaces the epidermal layer that has been lost.

When the epidermal layer is once again complete, the barrier being restored.

A thin ‘split-thickness’ skin graft can be placed directly onto the wound bed. However, this heals as a very thin fragile layer. Using a scaffold will rebuild the dermal layer and enable the full thickness of skin to be reconstructed.

Our Smart Matrix™  will be used to treat patients with full thickness skin loss. It will be placed onto the wound bed so that it can support a thin skin graft.

There are commercially available products. However, these are collagen-based and may integrate slowly and often fail. For this reason, we have developed the 'Smart Matrix™' to incorporate a substance to encourage blood vessels to grow into it far more quickly.

Take note of fire safety advice, such as the following websites:
http://firekills.direct.gov.uk/index.html
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/Yourchildssafetyinthehome/DG_078862

The following tips deal with some frequent causes of injury.

• Treat hot drinks and jug kettles with respect, and keep them out of reach of small children. ‘Cup of tea’ scalds are alarmingly frequent in young children, and typically cause extensive, lifelong scars.
• When running a bath, run your cold water first, then add your hot water. Test the bath water with your elbow, when putting a child in it.
• Turn saucepan handles away from the front of the cooker.
• Use solid fuel firelighters rather than petrol for lighting bonfires and barbeques. Ignited petrol vapour will explode in a flash-ball, causing instantaneous burn injury.
• Fit smoke alarms in every level of your house and keep them tested.

Our research relies hugely on charitable donations. Without your support we would be unable to continue our vital research, which will have an impact on thousands of patients suffering from burns, wounds and cancers of the skin.

We are fortunate to own our building, thanks to the Leopold Muller Estate, which keeps our overheads as low as possible. At the moment 73p of every £1 goes to our research.

Your donation will be used to fund research at RAFT and to disseminate the results of our research.

Yes. There are many ways you can help; take a look at our How You Can Help page to give you some ideas. We always need volunteers if you are willing to give any of your time to help out in our offices. Or you can give a small amount each month – just £3 a month will help us to provide much-needed solutions to the problems we are facing. If all our supporters gave just £3 a month we would raise £432,000 a year!

Yes, we would be honoured if you chose to make a donation in memory of a loved one.

Donations can be made by clicking on the 'Donate Now' button on the opening page. This allows you to make a donation through 'Just Giving'. You can also call our team on 01923 835815 and make a donation over the phone, or you can pay by cheque if that is more convenient for you.

RAFT's research is all carried out at our own laboratories. We are not a grant giving charity and do not fund other institutions to carry out research on our behalf.

RAFT’s own team of dedicated scientists and surgeons.

Surgeons, patients and doctors tell us of a problem that hasn’t been solved yet or that needs a better treatment. Our senior scientists come up with a potential solution and write up a proposal of research. This proposal is reviewed by external specialists in the field in the external peer review. It is also reviewed by our Research Advisory Committee and CEO to ensure that the project not only fits within our charitable mandate and our strategy, but also that we have the resources to ensure the project can be carried out. As all our research is paid for by the money we raise, unless we have enough funds to cover the project costs, we cannot carry out our work. All this information is collected and presented to the Trustees, who are the body ultimately responsible for setting the strategy for RAFT.

This depends on the project. Good ideas will often take several years to get to the point of clinical benefit and maintaining continuity of support to allow this to happen is crucial. Sometimes RAFT needs to pass projects onto other organisations once they have been proven to work to get it to the next stage on the road from bench to bedside.

Over the last 23 years, RAFT has carried out a number of projects related to reconstructive plastic surgery, some of which have become so common that you can find them on major high streets such as laser hair removal. This project came about in an effort to relieve the irritation sufferred by prothesis wearers when new hair follicles started growing out of their stump. Other projects include: anti-scarring, skin reconstruction, tendon healing, rheumatoid arthritis, squamous cell carcinoma, facial palsy, Dupuytrens contracture, cleft lip palate and the multichambered air bed for intensive care use which helps prevent bed sores.

The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) is a membership organisation of the leading medical and health research charities in the UK, of which RAFT is a member.

RAFT has academic links with UCL where Surgical Research Fellows are usually registered. We also collaborate widely with different universities and research organisations on different projects.

If you wish to receive publicity following your support, we can highlight this by including your name and logo on our website and within our fundraising literature. There are other ways we can recognise your support and we are happy to discuss these with you.

Yes, this often happens. You can donate items such as a property, shares and items to auction at one of fundraising events.