Supporting Food Allergy Awareness
To help raise awareness of the risks to those with food allergy, Arun District Council has designed a new food allergy awareness sign to be displayed in the play area at Hotham Park, Bognor Regis.
The design includes a drawing by Esmee, a Year 5 pupil from St Philip's Catholic Primary School, Arundel, who took part in a school competition to come up with artwork for the sign.
The sign also sets out the simple steps people can take so that play areas are safe for children with food allergy.
These include eating at the picnic areas away from the play equipment, putting litter in the bin and cleaning your hands before using play equipment.
Arun District Council is working in partnership with Natasha's Foundation, the UK's food allergy charity, to improve awareness of food allergy which affects millions of people in the UK including 1 in 13 children.
Natasha's Foundation was founded by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBEs following the death of their daughter Natasha, aged 15, from a severe allergic reaction to sesame.
The Foundation provides schools with free training and practical resources to improve food allergy awareness through its Allergy School educational programme ( www.allergyschool.org.uk ), and gives a voice to those affected by food allergy to ensure their experiences and needs are heard. It also funds clinical research to improve treatment of food allergy and find ways to stop it before it starts.
Councillor Amanda Worne, Chair of Environment Committee said:
"Food allergies can have a serious impact on people's lives, particularly for children and their families. Jess North, who was just 20, tragically died of a nut allergy on 14May 2021 and these new signs are dedicated to her memory.
"We are proud to be working with Natasha's Foundation to promote understanding and create safer, more inclusive public spaces. The new sign at Hotham Park is a fantastic way to highlight this important issue, and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the competition and helped bring this initiative to life."
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, founder of Natasha's Foundation, said:
“ By taking small, simple steps to prevent food residue being left on play equipment, we can help ensure that all children, including those with food allergies, can play safely.
We are delighted to support this project, and we hope it will raise greater awareness of food allergy safety.”