The Wellcome Trust becomes first partner for Fun Kids app

The medical research charity has a specially branded area or 'planet' within the Fun Kids app featuring a game based on the Professor Hallux character, which was devised with the Wellcome Trust to educate children about medicine.

The planets are designed as co-branded areas to accompany on-air activity or be sold as separate commercial opportunities. Other commercial opportunities include banner ads and splash screens (ads shown while the app is loaded).

Professor Hallux aims to make children more comfortable with going to the doctor. In the game children have to complete their way through levels while finding out about different aspects of medicine.

Children can listen to the Fun Kids radio station through the app as well as stream audio content from 50 podcast channels, watch videos, read book reviews and event information, enter competitions and contact the station.

The Fun Kids app was developed by Surrey-based Big Orange Software alongside Folder Media's in-house development team.

Matt Deegan, station manger of Fun Kids, said: "Much of Fun Kids’ growth over the past year has come from its development into a true multi-platform brand. Our listeners and partners already connect to us through our radio output as well as our website, newsletters, Radioplayer and our podcasts.

"The iPad app will be great for listeners old and new, as well as providing a new way for our partners to reach children and families."

The iPad app is Fun Kids’ first app for Apple’s IOS operating system. It already has a listen-only app for Windows Phone 7 handsets.