Colour changing tech teaches kids about sun safety

Schoolchildren in North East Lincolnshire have been learning how to be safe in the sun.

The Melanoma Fund charity has been delivering sun safety assemblies in 14 primary schools in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, ahead of Sun Awareness Week which begins on 11 May.

The children have been taught about the risk of ultraviolet (UV) rays, with the help of colour-changing technology.

They used UV-reactive wristbands which turn from white to violet in sunlight, and were are also taught how to apply sunscreen properly.

Katie Brooks from the Melanoma Fund said: "The schools I've been to in Grimsby and Cleethorpes have been absolutely amazing.

"They've really taken it on board and have been listening throughout the assembly."

Michelle Baker, chief executive of the Melanoma Fund, said: "The sun ages your skin. It also puts you in danger of all sorts of skin cancer and melanoma is the most common cancer in young people now."

The charity is promoting Sunguarding Schools, lessons which are freely available to all schools in the UK because it says sun protection messaging has not translated into behaviour.

The hall at Littlecoates Primary Academy erupted in laughter as two of the teachers ran around the children dressed head to toe in bright red costumes, representing sunburn.

Evelyn, 10, said: "Sunburn can really affect some people so sun cream is important so your skin doesn't get burnt or irritated."

Isabella, eight, said "I wear sun cream but not all the time, and I learned that the sun can hurt your skin."

Betsy, seven, said: "I might get sunburnt and it might irritate my skin. If you get hot from the sun sit, in the shade."

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