- Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Yorkshire Cancer Research will expand its Sun Awareness campaign during summer 2016 following a £9,978 grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All programme.
Aimed at reducing the impact of skin cancer in Yorkshire, the campaign was launched by the charity last year in partnership with the Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC), Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and Yorkshire Cricket Board.
As well as continuing the campaign at Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds, the charity will now be able to roll out the project to Yorkshire’s 778 local cricket clubs.
Cases of skin cancer in Yorkshire increased by 67% between 2001 and 2013, and exposure to the sun, or sunbeds, is the cause of 86% of cases. It is estimated that 80% of lifetime exposure to the sun occurs during childhood, and one blistering sunburn can double the risk of getting skin cancer later in life.
Throughout the 2015 season, Yorkshire Cancer Research attended cricket matches at local, national and international level, and Pro Coach Cricket Academy events, to raise awareness of the dangers of the sun among players and spectators of all ages.
Staff and volunteers gave away 20,000 UV wristbands that change colour in UV light and act as a reminder to apply sunscreen. They also provided free sunscreen and gave away information leaflets featuring advice on how to stay safe in the sun and how to spot signs and symptoms of skin cancer.
Sophie Bunker, Community Engagement Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this grant by Awards for All. The huge increase in cases of skin cancer demonstrates a significant need to raise awareness in our region. The campaign proved extremely popular with children and adults during 2015 and this money will provide our campaign with the materials needed to fully engage with the public and ensure the message reaches as large a proportion of the cricket community as possible.”
During 2015 the project had a considerable impact on communities throughout the region, with father-of-two Neil Stockton being diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, at an early stage following one of the charity’s talks.
The 48-year-old from Middlesbrough, who had taken his two sons to a Pro Coach Cricket Academy camp in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, decided to visit his GP about a new and different mole he’d recently noticed on his arm. He underwent surgery to remove the mole and is now being monitored.
Neil said: “If I hadn’t taken my boys to the cricket academy and seen the talk by Yorkshire Cancer Research, I might have left it until it got worse. I would urge people to get checked out at the earliest opportunity if they notice anything unusual.”
In September last year, the charity received a grant of £632 from The Craven Trust to develop its Sun Awareness campaign within the Craven area.
Sophie added: “We’ll be at Headingley and local cricket clubs throughout the summer and would urge people to come and say hello, pick up a wristband and get some sunscreen. It’s a simple message that could save your life.”
For more information about the charity’s partnership with Yorkshire Cricket visit www.ycr.org.uk/yccc.