IT'S EVERY mother's worst nightmare and it could have happened to anyone.
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Tamworth's Rebeccah Vaclavik still tears up when she talks about the accident that saw her 13-month old toddler, Victoria, suffer burns to her face, arms and body - when she tipped a cup of tea on herself.
"I knew I had put my tea down and I ran after her but it was already too late," she said.
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"She had this piercing scream and I will never be able to get it out of my mind, it was awful, I went into a panic."
Doctors at Tamworth's hospital initially thought they could care for Victoria's injuries here, but a few days later as the "always smiling" little toddler got sicker, the decision was made to send her to Sydney's Westmead Hospital for care.
Three weeks later, thanks to small aviation charity Little Wings, baby Victoria has been able to get the care she needs in the most capable hands.
Without them, Mrs Vaclavik said the five-and-a-half hour trips would have been almost impossible.
"I sat down with the social worker at Westmead Hospital, I was emotional and not dealing with it well - I was embarrassed and angry and felt guilty thinking that I had done this to my favourite little person," she said.
"She referred us to Little Wings because living so far away it wasn't ideal.
"They have flown us back and forth for the care she needs and it's been such a relief financially, mentally and emotionally as it doesn't cost us anything.
Arriving back in Tamworth on Wednesday on what the pair hope is their last flight with Little Wings, Mrs Vaclavik said wanted to highlight the charity's incredible work.
"I was reluctant at first and embarrassed, but this charity does such amazing work - all of the pilots are volunteers," she said.
"It's just amazing to know there are such incredible people in this world who are willing to help - you never think you will need charities like this until you do and you realise how much support there is and good in the world."
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