A Phillip Bay family needs help to finance and build a UV-protected backyard so that their two daughters, who live with a rare genetic condition, can safely spend time outdoors during daylight hours.
Rare Condition Shapes Daily Life in Phillip Bay
Amielle, 12, and Taya Walker live in Phillip Bay with Xeroderma Pigmentosum, a rare genetic disorder that prevents their bodies from repairing DNA damage caused by ultraviolet light. Medical advice provided to the family states that no amount of UV exposure is safe.
As a result, the sisters spend most daytime hours indoors, with outdoor activity largely restricted to after sunset.
Severe Health Risks Linked to Sun Exposure
Xeroderma Pigmentosum places the girls at an estimated 10,000-fold increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer and a 2,000-fold increased risk of melanoma compared with the general population. Even brief exposure can cause severe burns and permanent DNA damage that cannot be repaired.
Protective clothing is required whenever the girls are outdoors, including full-length UV-rated garments and face shields. Their primary school has also been modified with UV-filtered windows to reduce daily exposure.
Planned UV-Safe Backyard at Phillip Bay Home
To improve daily life, the Walker family has planned a fully enclosed UV-safe backyard at their Phillip Bay home. The structure is expected to measure approximately seven metres by ten metres and will use treated glass and UV-blocking blinds to prevent harmful exposure.
The UV structure itself is estimated to cost about $280,000. Fundraising materials indicate the total project cost, including additional home modifications, is approximately $530,000.
Fundraising Progress and Community Response
As of December 2025, more than $106,000 has been raised through community donations, with a current target of $250,000. Messages of support accompanying donations consistently highlight the importance of safe outdoor play and improved quality of life for the children.
Fundraising updates confirm plans have been finalised and approved, with remaining funds required before another summer season.
What Comes Next
If completed, the UV-safe backyard would allow the sisters to play outdoors during the day without full protective gear, host friends, and experience routine activities currently unavailable to them. The family says the project would also allow doors and windows to be opened safely, improving daily living conditions at their Phillip Bay home.
Published 17-Dec-2025
