Toddler with rare sun ‘allergy’ can now play at home with curtains open

Mollie Murray, 2, of Montrose, Angus, the only child in the UK known to have her specific variant of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), pictured at home with mum Kirsty Campbell (The Archie Foundation/Newsline Media/PA) Danyel Vanreenen 3 minutes ago A Scottish toddler with a rare genetic disorder that makes her “allergic” to the sun can finally play at home without the curtains closed thanks to UV-resistant film installed at her home last month.

Two-year-old Mollie Murray, of Montrose, is the only child in the UK known to have her specific variant of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), making her skin extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light.

The condition has no cure, and it puts Mollie at risk of severe sun damage all year round – meaning she can only safely go outside in protective full-length clothing or after dark.

Mollie Murray, 2, pictured playing at her home, which is covered in UV resistant film to keep her safe (The Archie Foundation/Newsline Media/PA) Her mother, Kirsty Campbell, 35, a charge nurse, said: “She burns all year round and has burnt in November before.

“The only time it’s safe to go outside is in the dark. I want to keep her inside at all times to keep her safe, but we can’t do that – she needs some sort of normality.”

Ms Campbell has spoken out to raise awareness of Mollie’s condition and to thank The Archie Foundation for the “vital” funding they provided to help Mollie’s dad, Ryan Murray, 34, coat his home in UV-resistant film last month.

The film means that Mollie can now play inside without the curtains closed.

“Their support has been indescribable – they’ve been a massive help for us,” Ms Campbell said.

“I cried for about 20 minutes when I was told the money would come through. Mollie wouldn’t have the same quality of life at her dad’s house without it.

She added: “It means she can do simple things like look outside for the postman or draw in daylight. My ex-partner was having to take playpark equipment into his house as it wasn’t safe outside. She’s so happy running around like a normal child.”

Mollie Murray, 2, pictured at home in protective full-length clothing, including hat, gloves and sunglasses, which she has to wear to play safely outside given her genetic disorder (The Archie Foundation/Newsline Media/PA) Mollie was in and out of hospital from the time she was a baby, suffering from a range of symptoms including seizures and severe reflux.

She first experienced severe sunburn on an overcast day in May 2025. The situation escalated when it happened again two months later.

Doctors have advised Mollie is 10,000 times more likely to get skin cancer than other children and Ms Campbell has to use a UV monitor to check readings in every room to ensure it’s safe for Mollie to go inside.

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