Protect Our Children
Why brave Terri's dad is backing the campaign
 |
| LITTLE FIGHTER: Blaze victim Terri Calvesbert with her father, Paul |
WHEN firefighters raced into a
burning house in 1998, they mistook
her for a lifeless doll.
It was only when a squeak was
heard from the 18-month-old's cot
that they realised she was alive.
Terri Calvesbert, from Ipswich
in Suffolk, lost most of her skin,
her ears, fingers, the flesh
around her nose, all her hair and
one foot in the terrible fire which
destroyed her family home.
She is now ten years old, and
Terri's bravery, bubbly character
and determination have inspired
people across the world, who
have raised more than £340,000
for a trust fund for her future.
Last night, Terri's father, Paul
Calvesbert backed The Northern
Echo's campaign to protect children
by making all pyjamas
flame resistant.
He said that he had heard
about Daniel Mitchard-Harrison,
who has inspired the campaign
to change the law for the benefit
of millions of children across
Europe.
At the moment, only nightdresses
and dressing gowns have
to be flame resistant. Pyjamas
are exempt because, historically,
they are tight fitting.
Mr Calvesbert is one of more
than 1,500 people who have
signed a petition in support of
the campaign.
The Northern Echo will deliver
it to Brussels, where MEP
Stephen Hughes hopes to bring
about a change in law.
Daniel, two, from Dalton, in
North Yorkshire suffered horrific
burns to his legs and buttocks.
His pyjama shorts were set alight
when a spark from a woodburning
fire landed on them.
Daniel spent six weeks in hospital
and will be scarred for life.
After his accident, his grandfather
set light to another pair of
pyjama shorts as a test - and discovered
they would burn to nothing
in little more than 60 seconds.
Touched by Daniel's story,
which appeared on national television,
in less than two weeks
more than 1,500 people across the
world have signed the petition.
Many are astonished and horrified,
saying the cannot believe
that children's pyjamas can be
sold in shops when they are so
flammable.
Mr Calvesbert said that he had
heard about Daniel and the campaign.
He said: "I was shocked, I
thought children's pyjamas
would have to be flame resistant,
I thought that would be common
sense.
"This is a horrific thing for a
child to go through. I'm supporting
this petition because I know
the results of burns on a child."
Terri has endured years of operations
and is likely to have
scores more as she grows.
Annually, about 14,000 patients
are admitted to hospital
with serious burns around the
UK, but ten times that number
have minor burns.
Among burns patients, the
largest single group is the underfives.
* The Northern Echo's campaign, Protect Our Children, is calling for the Government to change a law that allows less stringent fire safety standards on children's pyjamas. You can sign the campaign petition here
12:55pm Wednesday 25th April 2007
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CommentPosted by: JANET STEWART, COUNTY DURHAM on 1:13pm Wed 25 Apr 07
i was shocked to see pic of little girl its about time there was regulations to cover clothing for children god bless here
i was shocked to see pic of little girl its about time there was regulations to cover clothing for children god bless here
Posted by: Amy Scott, essex on 10:28am Tue 8 May 07
[bold]bold[/bold] hi i have met this girl and she is o funny. i met her in 202 when i was in broomfield hospital. she makes everyone laughs and shes the amazing person ever. Love Amy
hi i have met this girl and she is o funny. i met her in 202 when i was in broomfield hospital. she makes everyone laughs and shes the amazing person ever. Love Amy
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