'Our future is positive as we move on from fire'

Two women who were injured in a fire said they were positive for the future as they continue to undergo treatment three and a half years on.

Cousins April and Ashleigh Charlesworth, who are both 31, suffered severe burns when at a fire at a pub in Great Cornard, near Sudbury, Suffolk, in April, 2021.

At the time they were rushed to separate hospitals and did not see each other for a month while they were put on a ventilator and placed in an induced coma.

While they still have regularly treatment for their burns, they have now been helping other survivors with their journeys.

"I'm doing good - I still get bad days but it's more good days now," April, who works as a hairdresser, explained.

"We're having laser surgery on our faces and hands.

"We're both on the waiting list to have more extreme laser surgery under general anaesthetic.

"It's difficult, even before we can sometimes feel a bit nervous.

"After the laser, we have to take a week off work to let ourselves heal and you feel down because it brings it all back."

Ashleigh, who is an NHS 111 clinical auditor, added she felt the same as her cousin.

"It's the old saying of time is a healer and with time it's getting a bit easier," she said.

In 2021, the cousins had gone out to their local pub to celebrate the first night after lockdown.

While chatting, Ashleigh noticed a flicker of flame out the corner of her eye before they both caught on fire.

A portable heater exploded and the women were left with severe burns.

Ashleigh's chest was badly burnt, and she had to have a skin graft on her hands using skin from her thigh.

April was given donor skin for her chest, arm and neck.

A man was charged with two offences of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent which he pleaded not guilty to. A trial is due to begin in August next year.

During their recovery, they both received support from the Katie Piper Foundation - a charity for survivors of burns and people with scars from traumatic incidents.

Ashleigh said while she was not making use of the charity currently for support, she was regularly helping it with campaigns.

"I help out with anything they ask... getting involved and helping bump up the foundation in any way that we can," she said.

"I know April does the same as well so it's quite nice they've got us as a tag team.

"It's quite a unique situation when there's two people of the same family."

The women have also been working to raise awareness of the charity and funds for it over the past month including undertaking a Stride for Survivors challenge by walking 100 miles.

The cousins explained they were extremely grateful for all the general support they had received over the years.

"We've both got a great family, a good friendship group and work are really supportive," April said.

"It's nice to know who is there, you definitely realise the people that are there for you."

They are now looking ahead to the future which they had positive feelings toward.

"Treatment wise we go through the motions now - our family know what to expect in terms of when we have it," Ashleigh said.

"It's about trying to show up for the foundation as they've done a lot for us and trying to help other people as much as we can."

April added: "I'm feeling good about it.

"We're both happy to talk about it which is a lot nicer. I definitely feel like it's getting easier every day."

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