Brave Face

Brave mum Wei Yanjun has vowed to raise 50,000 GBP for reconstructive surgery after her six-year-old son's face was burned off in a blaze.

Tragic Wang Xiangxiang - from Mijiazhuang, Shanxi province, northern China - was left horrifically scarred after the freak blaze in the family's wood store and has to wear a mask every day to protect his raw skin from the sun and pollution damage.

"We are not rich, not even comfortable, but I will do anything in my power to make my son well again," said mum Wei Yanjun, 32. Local schools have banned the youngster, afraid they won't be able to cope with the dozens of creams and painkillers he needs to take every day.

"That is hard for him so after school I take him to their playground with a few friends so he can pretend he's at school," said Wang's mum.

Now surgeons say they can rebuild the lad's face in a series of operations - but they'd cost more than the entire family could earn in a lifetime.

"My boy has all sorts of problems. Lately his lips have started to grow together. But we will and we must raise this money," said his mother.

Journalism Without Borders is collecting donations for Wang's treatment.