Two years after a horrific acid attack left Katie Piper with severe facial burns, the former model arrived at 10 Downing Street on International Women’s day and mingled with a host of stars and politicians in another remarkable step on this young woman’s journey.
Katie attended the function with Mr Jawad, and the pair were recognised by Downing Street security staff at the front entrance who had seen the channel 4 documentary about Katie’s treatment. This was a truly touching moment for both Katie and Mr Jawad, and highlighted the prominence that Mr Jawad’s groundbreaking treatment has achieved. Inside, Katie and Mr Jawad met Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harmon, who praised Katie for her courageous recovery, and acknowledged Mr Jawad’s tremendous contribution to Katie’s happy outcome. Later, the pair met Gordon and Sarah Brown, and they thanked the Prime Minister for the money the government had put into the NHS whilst he was chancellor; money which enabled Katie to receive such extensive treatment. Mr Brown acknowledged the need for heightened awareness for burns victims and treatments, and, should he remain in power over the summer, kindly offered to launch the Katie Piper Foundation from Downing Street.
Pop luminary Annie Lennox also had kind words to say, and had her picture taken with Katie and Mr Jawad, before kissing Mr Jawad’s hand! Mr Jawad was delighted that Katie was able to attend such a high profile event, as it is another platform from which to build on Katie’s great outcome. “We’ve raised the bar in treatment, now it’s a case of making people aware of what we can do, and helping others receive the same quality care.”
