AT a recent meeting of Ross Rotary Club, Ross Rotarian Polly Gabriel spoke about the work of the charity Changing Faces and gave a demonstration of her role within the skin camouflage service of that charity. Polly said that skin camouflage techniques were pioneered by Max Factor after the Second World War to treat badly burned American pilots using prosthesis to cover facial skin damage.

She went on to say that the charity Changing Faces was started in 1992 by channel 5 newsreader James Partridge OBE who had been burnt and disfigured in a car accident. Having experienced mindless staring from the public, others avoiding eye contact, and even ridicule and exclusion, he set up the charity to empower people and challenge attitudes. To change lives by changing minds.

She added that as well as facial disfigurement caused by accidents, there were a number of causes ranging from birthmarks, vitiligo, rosacea and psoriasis to scarring from cleft lip, acne and damage following surgery for cancer.

Polly started her skin camouflage training on a course with 37 other practitioners in 1999 and worked in a clinic in Kendal before moving to the Ross area. As well as providing the service through Changing Faces, she also trains potential practitioners, but these days that's on a one-to-one basis.

Having spoken about camouflage techniques, she went on to demonstrate her skills on two Ross Rotary 'volunteers', President Stewart Ross and treasurer Brian Roe, who, along with the rest of the club were most impressed with her skills and ability.

Ross Rotary Club meets every Monday evening 6.30pm for 7pm at the Chase Hotel. Guests and potential members are very welcome. Please visit our website at www.rossrotary.com