A BRAVE little girl who was scarred for life after a freak accident has inspired a Port woman to trek nearly 100 miles for charity.

Karla Peacock was only four years old when she suffered second and third degree burns to her head after a horrific accident with a candle.

Courageous Karla spent eight weeks in hospital receiving intensive treatment before being allowed home.

Despite still suffering from pain on a daily basis, Karla, who is now aged 11 and attends Newark Primary, has kept smiling throughout her horrendous ordeal.

Her strength has inspired her family friend Sharon Harley, pictured below with Karla, to trek the West Highland Way in aid of the Scottish Burned Children’s Club — a charity which has supported Karla over the last few years.

Sharon, who ran to Karla’s rescue on the day of her accident, said: “She’s been so brave throughout this.

“She’s such a strong young person.

“Karla is over-the-moon that I’m doing the walk.”

Sharon, who lived above Karla and her mum Tanya in Dubbs Road at the time of the accident, still vividly remembers the morning of the accident back in May 2010.

The 42-year-old, who now lives in Springhill Road, said: “It was early in the morning and I heard a scream.

“I ran down the stairs and when I went in I grabbed Karla and put a damp towel on her head.

“Her mum was in shock.”

Karla’s mum Tanya says the memory of that morning still haunts her.

She said: “Karla had got up for a drink of juice and when I looked at the time it was 5.45am.

“I shouted on her and asked her to go back for a nap before nursery.

“Then it went quiet so I shouted on her again and the next minute I heard this horrendous scream.

“I’d never heard anything like it.

“She ran into the room and I jumped out of the bed.

“I could smell burning from her hair.

“I didn’t know what she had done.

“She told me later that she had wanted to practise blowing out her birthday candles as her birthday was coming up.

“Sharon from upstairs came running down and she put a damp towel on her head and we phoned an ambulance.”

As a result of the accident, Karla lost all of the front of her hair and the burns at the side of her head and forehead were so serious that doctors had to use skin grafts from her leg to treat her wounds.

Although Karla is scarred for life and now suffers from severe nerve damage, her spirits have remained high thanks to support from the Scottish Burned Children’s Club.

Sharon, who has three grown-up children and two grandchildren, says the charity has been a lifeline for Karla and is the reason why she is lacing up her hiking boots.

She said: “Karla absolutely loves going to the club.

“They take the kids out on trips and they get to meet other children who have been through similar things.

“The charity don’t get any government funding so I want to help them by doing the West Highland Way in August.

“I’m going to do it over seven days and I’m going to wild camp.

“It was my boyfriend Stephen who got me into walking.

“Now I love it.”

Mum-of-three Tanya says she is overwhelmed that Sharon is doing a charity walk in Karla’s honour.

She said: “I’m delighted that she’s doing it for the charity as they are really good with all the kids and have been a big support.

“She has made lots of wee pals and they enjoy going on trips.”

Karla is now looking forward to starting at Port Glasgow High School after the summer holidays.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Sharon can do so online at www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/sharonharley1
Sharon is also appealing for help with camping/hiking equipment for her trip.

Anyone who could help is asked to email her on shazababy63@gmail.com