Gemcell Australia

The Julian Burton Burns Trust and Clipsal Australia have announced Bucks For Burns – a three year national partnership to save children’s lives. Proudly promoted by Gemcell in Gemcell stores Australia wide, this is a cause every Gemcell customer will want to support.

What do Julian Burton – an ex Aussie Rules footy player who was a victim of the 2002 Bali Bombings and Chase – a 17 month old toddler recovering from accidentally scalding himself with hot tea have in common? They have both experienced first hand how painful and traumatic serious burns can be. In Julian’s case, his burns were third degree, lifethreatening and took a long time to heal.

While Julian was recovering under the expert care of specialist doctors in Bali, Julian thought about the suffering of those around him who had been injured in the blast, many more seriously than himself, and decided that he would find a way to help people – and especially children – to avoid burn injuries through prevention and education. The result is the Julian Burton Burns Trust.

Who is Julian Burton?

Surviving a terrorist’s bomb blast of the magnitude that killed over 200 people in Bali in 2002 would cause most people to feel more than a little grateful. Julian Burton was no exception. While recovering in Bali from third degree burns he received in the inferno that followed the bomb blasts, Julian was inspired to give back to the people and communities who gave their time, skills and generosity in supporting him and many others less fortunate. In 2003 he founded the Julian Burton Burns Trust. Today, with Julian’s passion and vision, the Julian Burton Burns Trust has become Australia’s first national community organisation solely committed to prevention, care and research associated with burn injury.

In 2006 Julian was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) Medal for his contribution to the community through the work of the Julian Burton Burns Trust across Australia. In 2010 his efforts were recognised when he was a finalist for the Australian Of The Year Award and was named 2010 South Australian Of The Year.

Helping children to avoid burns is what it’s all about!

Like most 17 month old toddlers, Chase (pictured with Julian above) was being a busy little man discovering the world around him when the accident happened. While his mum Carly was sitting down to enjoy a well deserved cuppa, Chase reached up to the coffee table for support and accidentally knocked over a cup of hot tea, spilling it over his face and arm in the process. Chase’s mum desperately ran cold water over the distressed infant and then quickly called her husband, Tim for help.

Although Chase’s burns didn’t look too bad his parents rushed him to their local hospital in Port Augusta. Twenty minutes later they found themselves being airlifted to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide for a week long treatment for burns that were almost second degree.

“It all happened so fast,” said Carly. “Initially, we felt a little embarrassed to trouble the hospital, but the burns turned out to be more than superficial.”

“It was a good call to rush to the hospital,” said Tim.

“The staff at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital have been excellent and looked after us so well. Chase has been making an excellent recovery and is unlikely to carry any scarring as a result,” the parents added.

Burns accidents like these happen every week throughout Australia and are one of the top 3 injuries suffered by Australians every year. In fact, burn injury is one of the top three causes of accidental death in children under five years of age. Though we can never entirely prevent these accidents from occurring, education can go a long way in preventing them. And that’s where Bucks For Burns comes in!

Bucks for Burns — here’s how it works!

Every time a Clipsal Firetek smoke alarm is sold at a Gemcell outlet, 50 cents from the sale will be donated to the Julian Burton Burns Trust. Special Bucks for Burns product packaging and point of sale material will be on display in Gemcell wholesalers Australia wide.

Clipsal leads the market in mains wired smoke alarms with its Firetek brand. The Julian Burton Burns Trust believes there is potential to raise many tens of thousands of dollars per annum in funds. With the funds raised, the Julian Burton Burns Trust will expand its community programs and projects across Australia with the key focus being on prevention.

Julian Burton OAM, CEO and founder of the Julian Burton Burns Trust says: “We are extremely grateful for the partnership with Clipsal Australia. Burn injuries are horrific, they are painful and disfiguring, especially for young children and together we believe this partnership will prevent many burn injuries through prevention and education.”

With the support of Clipsal, the Julian Burton Burns Trust will have the opportunity to get the prevention messages out to a much bigger audience, especially in the area of smoke alarms as they are the first line of defence in preventing fires. If a customer’s smoke alarm is more than 10 years old then this may be the reason they need to replace it and also help the cause.

“People use the word partnership a lot in business but this really is a great relationship and one we are extremely proud to be a part of. We are both committed to saving lives through prevention,” said Damien Cummins, Executive General Manager, Clipsal Australia.

“The Julian Burton Burns Trust is a magnificent organisation that has a Can Do attitude and – given its resources – punches above its weight in terms of the work that it does in the community. We make a quality product that complements the trust’s message. We have a big heart and we’re proud to partner them.”

Now you can help to save lives and heal them too. Every time you purchase a Clipsal Firetek Smoke Alarm you are contributing 50 cents to the Julian Burton Burns Trust.

Where does your 50 cents go?

• Prevention Programs
• Patient Care Services
• Research Equipment

The partnership between Clipsal and The Julian Burton Burns Trust commences in June 2010. Firetek smoke alarms are available from your local Gemcell branch. Look for the Bucks for Burns promotional signage at your Gemcell electrical wholesale store and get behind this fantastic campaign!