EX-Love Islanders and Towie stars have been showing their support for a new campaign which gives UV protection suncreams to primary school children on free school meals to prevent skin cancer.
The #SunPoverty campaign is donating over 30,000 high factor SPF to schools and food banks across the UK to stem the rapid rise of skin cancer in Britain.
Skin cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the UK with 224,092 cases recorded in 2019, a rise of 26% and research shows that just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life.
The #SunPoverty not-for-profit scheme has been organised by Cardiff based online beauty retailer Escentual.com and donations of suncreams to under 12s start from Friday this week, and they are also calling on government to waive VAT on children’s sun protection creams.
In addition to the 30,000 free creams, Escentual.com will donate one more for every SunPoverty cream purchased on their website.
Escentual.com CEO and Founder Rakesh Aggarwal, who has organised the campaign said: “We believe that all children should have access to high factor sunscreen.
“It’s vital for their health that they’re protected from the sun, and with the summer coming up, children will want to get out and enjoy their holidays.
“They should be able to do so without the fear of getting sunburn which can seriously increase their chances of getting skin cancer in later life.”
Trending In The NewsPoverty lotion is a 50ml 50+ SPF with broad spectrum UV protection and it comes in a handy squeezable bottle which the child can write their name on and a clip to fasten to a bag or belt loop for safe keeping.
There are also educational comics for teachers across the UK to download and use to help teach children about good sun habits.
Several celebrities have come out in support of the campaign including Love Island stars Georgia Harrison and Tyne-Lexy Clarson have posted their support to their combined 1.5m followers on instagram, and actress Kara Tointon, Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, TV presenters Tim Vincent, Nicki Chapman and Ashley James, and This Morning’s beauty expert Caroline Hirons are all supporting the worthy cause.
Best-selling beauty author Caroline Hirons said: “This is a genius idea from Escentual.com, and they are trying to get the government to cut VAT on SPF.
“The suncream is designed for children and it’s got a little latch key on it so you can stick in on their rucksack put their name on the front and it’s under £9.”
And Escentual.com are donating one suncream for every one sold on their website, and not just their own SPF but also ones from Clarins and Shiseido, if you buy any of those SPFs from Escentual.com they are going to donate one of these children in schools to make sure that all children have access to sun protection.
Georgia Harrison’s instagram post said: “The UK #SunPoverty campaign is donating over 30,000 high factor sun lotions to kids on free school meals this summer.
“Skin cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the UK and sunburn in childhood doubles the chance of getting it. It’s vitally important that all children are protected from the harmful effects of the sun and that’s why I’m supporting the @escentual #SunPoverty campaign.”
Love Island star Tyne-Lexy Clarson said on her Instagram stories: “I’m supporting Escentual on their incredible campaign and mission to end SunPoverty.
“I don’t know if you know but 80% of sun damage happens before you are 18 years old, so using SPF is an absolutely necessity. For every one of these Escentual SunPoverty creams sold on their website, they will be donating one to try to end SunPoverty, and they are donating them for Eucerin and Clarins 50+ creams as well, so if you would like to help stop SunPoverty and give these children the opportunity that we should all have to wear SPF then please go to their website and get involved.”
The campaign is also supported by actress Kara Tointon, from north London, who has two sons under three years old.
She said: “It’s so important to keep children protected from the sun with good quality high factor sun cream. Skin cancer is a growing problem in the UK, and that’s why I always keep my two little ones well covered in lotion at all times.
