A two-year-old girl with a rare genetic disorder that makes her allergic to the sun can now play at home without having the curtains closed.
Mollie Murray, of Montrose, Scotland, is the only child in the UK known to have her specific variant of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), which makes her skin extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light. The condition has no known cure and puts Mollie at risk of severe sun damage all year round, meaning she can only safely go outside in protective full-length clothing or in the evening after dark.
Family thanks charity for vital funding
Mollie's 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, a children's charity, for the "vital" funding it provided to help Mollie's dad, Ryan Murray, 34, coat his home in UV-resistant film last month. The film means 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."
Diagnosis and daily challenges
Mollie was in and out of hospital from being 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, and she was eventually diagnosed with XPF.
Doctors have warned that 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 is safe for Mollie to enter.
"To go from thinking your child has sunburn to them having an extremely rare genetic disorder is mind-blowing," Ms Campbell said. "Everyday life is difficult as she needs full protective outer wear for going outside and sun cream every two hours under her clothes."
She added: "We initially had to play inside in darkness with the curtains closed before getting the UV-resistant film on our windows."
Support from The Archie Foundation
Ms Campbell and her family have been told that Mollie will likely have neurological impairment and mobility issues in her 40s and 50s, but that she should have a fairly normal childhood. Mollie's family are hoping to ensure she has the highest quality of life possible while continuing to keep her safe.
"I have a UV monitor as she can't just walk into a room. I have to check there is absolutely no UV light there, so there are so many challenges along the way," Ms Campbell said. "She is an amazing wee girl and is coping with it so well. She's very outgoing and friendly and the fact she's been in hospital so much means she's used to seeing different faces."
The Archie Foundation provides support to babies, children and families during a hospital stay or after a bereavement. The charity gifted Mollie's family £600 to fund UV film for the whole downstairs of her dad's house and Mollie's bedroom upstairs, which was installed on July 15.
Rebecca Duncan, business development and fundraising manager for The Archie Foundation in Tayside, said it is "wonderful" to hear how the charity's support has helped make a difference for Mollie and her family. "Caring for a child with complex needs can be incredibly challenging and, at times, isolating, so we're committed to ensuring families never feel they have to face that journey alone," Ms Duncan said. "Mollie has shown remarkable resilience, and we're proud to have played a small part in helping her experience the joy, opportunities and precious moments that every child deserves."
