Little Charlie Graver, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was just four when a car accident left him with a severe head injury, fractured cheekbones, and a broken nose.

He lost a significant amount of skin from his face and needed a skin graft from his thigh to help rebuild his appearance.

But four years later, he has raised £3,845 for a charity that supports children with facial differences and helps them build confidence.

Describing the moment she learned Charlie’s grandmother had lost control of her car, hit the central reservation and collided with another vehicle, Charlie’s mother Kimberley said: “I got a phone call from the emergency services.

“When I answered the call they put Charlie on the phone and he was crying, but they thought hearing my voice would help calm him down.

“I thought my mum had been more seriously affected because I had spoken to Charlie.

“But a police officer told me Charlie had serious head injuries. I was absolutely devastated.

“The drive from work to the RVI, which is a ten-minute journey, felt like a lifetime.

“When I got there Charlie was covered in blood. His face had been badly injured and he must have been given medication because he was barely responsive.

“When I arrived at the hospital I could see the bone of his nose. He had lost cartilage from his nose as well as a large amount of skin.

“They had to take a skin graft from his thigh to help rebuild his nose. The force of the impact had removed the skin from his forehead, leaving only a flap of tissue.

“They had to let the remaining area heal naturally, allowing new skin to grow back. He still has some scars, but in the future they hope to reconstruct his nose.

“It was awful. He was in hospital for seven days, and it was incredibly difficult for the whole family. I still get emotional thinking about it.

“You never imagine something like that happening. He is such a lovely, caring kid. I just kept asking, why him? Why did this happen to him?”

The administrator, who is married to Michael, a gas service engineer, and is also mother to Harley Allan and Lucy, added: “We are so, so proud of him.

“I could literally burst with pride for what he is doing and for raising awareness of Changing Faces. I just think he is amazing.

“At first it was very difficult for him and upsetting. He had nightmares, but now he is doing much better.

“He is doing really well at school and doesn’t have any problems at the moment. But when he meets new people, or if we’re out shopping and people stare at him, it makes him feel uncomfortable.

“The scars aren’t as noticeable as they once were, but he still has difficult moments. I can’t believe how far he has come.”

Source: Daily Mail