
Schoolgirl invents solar stickers to keep children safe on roads
Emilia Lauder, 15, has invented a glowing sticker that helps children fasten seat belts.
Emilia Lauder had no idea that gazing up at the glow-in-the-dark stars on her bedroom ceiling would help launch her career as an entrepreneur.
Inspired by the tiny solar stickers, the 15-year-old from Edinburgh has solved a problem that affects parents and children across Scotland, particularly during darker winter months.
After struggling to locate her seat belt in the back of her parents' car, Emilia designed C-Klick, a solar powered sticker that is attached to a plug point.
The simple sticker not only helps visibility, but encourages children to make use of vital safety measures.
The local community was so impressed with Emilia's work that a local coach company has now partnered with her to test out C-Klick on its fleet.
"It's really effective and great for safety, and it looks really modern," said Emilia.
"I always knew I wanted it to go somewhere local and Prentice Coaches have a great reputation for reliability in the local area, and are all about safety, and I want safety as well.
"It's crazy, it really just started off as an idea to fix a problem. I never thought it would go this far."
The Portobello High School student was also the winner of the CBBC programme Pocket Money Pitch, where her invention was scrutinised by businessman Rob Law.
Founder of the children's ride-on suitcase company Trunki, Law grilled Emilia in front of a national audience earlier this year.
"It was really nerve-racking especially when Rob Law asked me a lot of tricky questions, I was nervous already," says Emilia.
"But I really enjoyed it and made a lot of friends. Everyone has been really supportive and so excited for me and I'm just so grateful.
"I've got all these experiences and opportunities out of just one idea.
"So many people think it's such an ingenious idea and that it's so simple - so many people have asked why no one has ever thought of it before."
When she's not poring over her school work, Emilia is working on expanding a family of C-Klick ideas.
Her mother Arlene says the family is incredibly proud of her "inquisitive" daughter's achievement.
"She's a really creative girl who works hard on her business and on school," said Arlene. "She deserves to do well and we're so proud of her.
"She is looking for more backing but we're proud no matter how big or small this becomes.
"She's very inquisitive, she's a real thinker and someone who wants to solve a problem quietly. It's a simple solution to a problem."