A talented Letterkenny pupil has been announced as a winner of the Get SunSmart! Children’s Art Competition.
Lewis Friel was awarded first place in the 2nd to 4th Class category of the contest, which promotes the importance of being safe in the sun.
The competition, now in its third year, saw a record number of entries from all over the country, and this year for the first time also included a pre-schools category.
Each winner will receive an OPW Family Heritage Card, a family day pass for Dublin Zoo, and a National book token worth €20.
Announcing the winners Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy Colm Burke said: “Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, but it is mostly preventable by being SunSmart and looking after your skin.
It is never too early to educate children on the importance of being safe in the sun, and especially now during the summer holidays, it is vital that we remember to be SunSmart and follow the 5S’s.
“I want to congratulate our 4 winners, and all the runners up, for their fantastic entries, which displayed such talent and originality. They should be hugely proud of their achievements in not only doing so well in the competition but in helping to spread our SunSmart message.”
The competition is supported by Healthy Ireland in partnership with the National Cancer Control Programme in the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The SunSmart 5 Ss are:
-
Slip on clothing that covers your skin such as wearing long sleeves, collared t-shirts.
-
Slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) water resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA protection. Reapply regularly.
-
Slap on a hat with a wide brim: Protect your face, ears and neck.
-
Seek shade: Sit in cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight and use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight.
-
Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes.
