Block the Sun, Not the Fun Campaign

We’ve been rallying children across the region to remind their grown-ups to stay safe in the sun, both at home and abroad with our latest on the road campaign – Block the Sun, Not the Fun.

We visited family hotspots across the region including Greenwood Family Park, Cheshire Ice Cream Farm, Tatton Park, and Hoghton Tower to encourage visitors to keep applying their sunscreen even when staying in the UK and help reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.

While there, we gave out handy handbag sized sunscreen bottles and chatted with visitors about their current sun safety habits, as well as what they can do to protect themselves from skin cancer in the future.

The campaign also featured Facebook adverts including children of the region posing as a news anchor, roving reporter and weatherman – with the message to grown ups that they should also be protecting themselves  from the sun, not just the kids!

Supporting the campaign was Mike Whalen from Birkdale, who has been diagnosed twice with melanoma.

The first instance came about when Mike noticed a recurring scab on his ear. After being prescribed a cream by his GP that had no effect, 18 months later Mike requested to be referred to a specialist. After a consultation and some tests with the specialist, Mike was diagnosed with the early stages of melanoma. His treatment involved surgery to remove the affected portion of his ear.

Three years later Mike noticed a strange indentation on his cheek and, given his history, was vigilant in being tested and was soon diagnosed, once again, with melanoma. Another surgery was on the cards to remove the cancerous area, and he has since been discharged.

Mike said: “I’m very conscious of what the future might hold and I’m very aware to keep checking and aware to put sunscreen on.

“I tell my friends if there’s anything even slightly untoward to get it checked out. Early detection really can save your life.”