Dance routine makes sunscreen fun for children; Health.

Byline: By Diane Parkes 

WHEN the sun beats down, it is imperative that children are protected from its potentially harmful rays.

Parents know the importance of sunscreen.

But what if your child refuses point blank to apply cream - or have it applied?

What if attempting to ensure they are safe in the sun involves chasing them round the garden waving a bottle of cream behind them?

Which is why high street chain Boots has this summer teamed up with X Factor finalists Same Difference in an attempt to make sunscreen fun.

A click on the special website, www.bootsfuncare.com takes families to a short film in which brother-sister duo Sean and Sarah Smith join forces with a group of youngsters to perform a version of the tune Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes to a dance routine.

And a survey carried out to coincide with the launch reveals why the campaign is needed as just five per cent of youngsters think they need sunscreen when abroad and under one per cent believe it is necessary in the UK.

And while most parents do apply sunscreen to their children, it is often up uphill battle with nearly one third saying their children would run rather than put on cream and another third would prefer to simply stay indoors than cover up.

The company's scientific adviser Mike Brown says: "It is important that children understand the need to wear sun protection and parents shouldn't be battling trying to apply sun cream to their children.

We hope the Funcare routine will go some way to help families understand why it is so important to protect their skin from the sun's harmful rays."

Same Difference's Sean says the duo were keen to support the campaign.

"We have had great fun re-recording this classic and we just hope it means more kids in Birmingham will get into the habit of wearing sun protection without even thinking about it."

And sister Sarah adds: "The Funcare Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes song is so catchy, we hope that kids and families will have fun singing along and dancing to the routine over the school holidays this summer.

And we hope it helps children stay safe in the sun without sacr if icing the fun factor."

CAPTION(S):

CATCHY... Same Difference perform a version of the tune Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes; SUN... protecting children from harmful rays.; DUO... brother and sister, Sean and Sarah Smith.