11-Year-Old Creates UV Colour-Changing Bead Bracelets to Remind People to Wear Sun Cream to Prevent Skin Cancer
Key Highlights :
Eleven year old Rosie Sullivan from Horsham is on a mission to raise awareness of skin cancer and the importance of wearing sun cream. After her uncle Steve Wilson was twice diagnosed with stage three melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, Rosie decided to create a creative way of reminding people to protect their skin from the sun's harmful rays.
Rosie has spent months creating bead bracelets that change colour when UV rays strong enough to cause sun burn hit them. The bracelets are a visual reminder for people to apply sun cream when outdoors, something that is especially important in this current hot weather.
Rosie told The Argus: “Melanoma Fund is a charity which raises awareness, I did my first campaign when I was six. “This campaign is the outdoor children campaign, we were trying to find different ways of raising awareness and we thought the UV bead bracelets were a good way of reminding children to put on sun cream. “The reaction has been good, people have been happy with it. “I have made around 180 bracelets in this batch.”
Rosie’s mum, Julie Sullivan, 52, said her daughter's uncle Steve described her as a “legend” for thinking of the bracelet idea. The bracelets are loosely tied so that they will fit any wrist and they go a purple colour when hit by sunlight.
Julie said: “It is just about creating the awareness for children, we hope it makes children at this age learn to be safe in the sun. It means they will stay safe in the sun. “People think it’s a good idea, it’s a good visual reminder. All the money goes to Melanoma Fund to help raise the profile of the charity.”
Rosie has been fundraising for Melanoma Fund since she was six years old and the bracelets are being sold at Rosie’s school's summer fair for £2. People can also order a bag of ten bracelets for £20 with free postage. They need to donate to Rosie's fundraiser and then email Melanoma Fund with their name and address.
Melanoma Fund CEO Michelle Baker said: “Rosie has supported the Melanoma Fund for years, both fundraising and appearing in our awareness videos, and has been making her brilliant UV bracelets since 2019. “We love how innovative she is, creating jewellery that supports her mission in so many ways. “This and her role as a sunguard ambassador, supports the vital work we do, raising awareness of the importance of sun protection in sport and outdoor recreation.”
Rosie's UV colour-changing bead bracelets are a creative way to remind people to apply sun cream to help prevent skin cancer. By wearing one of Rosie's bracelets, you are not only supporting a great cause, but also protecting yourself from the sun's harmful rays. For more information, visit Rosie's Just Giving page or email [email protected] if you donate £20 to Rosie's fundraiser.
