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A decommissioned firefighter helmet sits on a counter and, quietly, it helps a child rebuild their life. That is the kind of practical hope we talk about with our guest, Scott Hanley, a station officer with Fire and Rescue New South Wales and one of the driving forces behind Beat the Burn, a community-led fundraising movement supporting paediatric burn care.

Scott takes us back to 2006, when a small group of firefighters created a four-day cycling challenge to raise money for the Burns Unit at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. From that first ride, Beat the Burn has grown into a series of fundraising events and a culture of service that continues well after the sirens stop. We unpack why the Burns Unit is known as “002”, and why that bond between firefighters, clinicians, and families runs deep.

We also get specific about what burn injuries really involve. Many are not flame-related, and recovery can mean pain management, infection risk, repeated procedures, rehabilitation and mental health support for the whole family. Scott explains how fundraising supports real needs: anaesthetist fellows, skin graft lasers, burn splints research, regional step-down clinics, and burn survivor camps that give kids the rare relief of being understood.

In this episode, we explore:

• The origins and evolution of Beat the Burn
• Why supporting children with burn injuries became personal for Scott
• The realities of childhood burn treatment and recovery
• The commitment of firefighters, their families and local communities
• How donations help improve treatment and access to care
• The power of starting small and building something with lasting impact
• How individuals, businesses and communities can become involved

Content note: This episode discusses children affected by burn injuries and aspects of their treatment and recovery. Please listen with care if this may affect you personally.

Support Beat the Burn

Learn more, donate or find out how you can become involved:

• Beat the Burn
• Beat the Burn on Facebook
• Fire and Rescue NSW

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