Skcin – Press release Dec 2015
In
January 2015, Skcin were proud to be given the opportunity to join forces with
BBC Radio Derby to facilitate The Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal and assist
them in raising the profile of the UK’s
most common and fastest rising cancer.
Colin Bloomfield was a well known
presenter and Derby County commentator who worked at BBC Radio Derby for over
10 years. Sadly in 2013 he was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. Colin had a
unique and special relationship with his listeners and he shared his journey
with his audience, speaking openly with optimism about his illness and
treatment.
The BBC Radio Derby staff were
touched by the reaction and support from the listeners in Derbyshire and East
Staffordshire. It was therefore only fitting that the Colin Bloomfield Melanoma
Appeal, launched in January 2015, was created to fulfil Colin’s wishes as he took a
brave stand against the disease. His passion was to raise awareness of skin
cancer, to educate people about the risks of UV, the importance of sun safety,
to prevent the disease and to educate on the early detection of melanoma.
The
objective of the appeal was to make Derbyshire and East Staffordshire the ‘Sun Safe Capital’ of the UK. A key activity was to
encourage and assist 200 primary schools within the area to gain their Sun Safe
Schools accreditation - a national scheme developed by Skcin. The appeal, with
the support of Skcin and their Sun Safe Schools programme, provided 200 local
schools that took part, with enhanced educational resources, along with
sunscreen and dispensers for every class - encouraging them to take part in the
scheme by educating their pupils, parents and staff and to become ‘official’ Sun
Safe Schools by achieving their accreditation.
The
school’s appeal achieved a huge reach,
with over 60,000 children and parents across Derbyshire and East Staffordshire
provided with vital education and/or information on skin cancer and sun safety,
specifically designed to promote prevention and early detection. Many more
thousands of listeners were also touched by the campaign and it’s messaging both on air and at
local events.
Skcin
also facilitated several local skin check events that took place around the
county with the kind support of local Dermatology Consultants where hundreds of
listeners turned up to get free, professional advice, with a number of
potentially serious referrals made.
The
appeal has been a huge success with funds raised presently sitting at £136,294 attracting donations from
key donors such as Derby County Football Club who donated £14,000, the Freemasons who donated
£10,000 and the Charity Auction at
Derbyshire Day, Carsington Water which raised over £7,000
The
appeal was also flooded with postal donations, and the Just Giving site a hive
of activity with online donations. Countless fundraising activities took place
during 2015 in support of Colin - key events such as Sally Pepper’s London Marathon were hugely
supported by listeners with local sports clubs such as Derbyshire County
Cricket, Derby County Football all doing their bit to support the appeal. From
Skydives to Cycle rides, raffles and collections, to pub quizzes, and cake
sales - the local community showed relentless support.
Local
schools taking part in the scheme also raised money for the appeal and some
listeners donated monies from anniversary and funeral collections. The broad
fundraising activity and the ideas put in place have been overwhelming and
hugely appreciated by Colin’s
family, colleagues and Skcin.
The
appeal is closing on 31 Dec 2015, finishing with the Scouts donating monies
from their Stamp and Deliver Christmas delivery campaign to the appeal.
Colin’s story and the appeal touched so
many people that that their generosity was truly amazing. The appeal exceeded
all our expectations.
Due to
this success, a decision had to be made as to how the excess funds from the
schools campaign could be spent wisely and benefit the people of Derbyshire and
East Staffordshire. The outcome of the decision was to provide two sun safety
related items. The first instalment of a bespoke, oak sun shelter is planned
for Markeaton Park, one of Derbyshire’s
largest parks, visited by millions every year. The park features a children’s play area and pool, but
presently has no artificial shade around the pool area which is used by many
families during the summer months - making it a perfect location for the
shelter, reinforcing the importance of sun safety to visitors.
In
addition to the shade structure, the appeal has purchased the UK’s first UV solar powered Sun
Meter. The Sun Meter visually looks like a traffic light but it provides an
indicator as to the UV measurement for that day and guidelines for appropriate
sun safety measures.
Both
purchases are linked directly to the campaign’s sun safe messaging and most
importantly benefit the people of Derbyshire and East Staffordshire who so
kindly and generously donated to the appeal.
Sadly Colin passed away
on 25th April 2015 in the middle of the appeal and it therefore makes this
campaign, the Sun Safe Schools Accreditation Scheme, the Sun Shelter and the
Sun Meter a lasting legacy for a special inspiring man who lost his life at
such a young age to melanoma.
The appeal has not only raised the
profile of skin cancer significantly in Derbyshire and East Staffordshire, but
in fact, nationwide.
Education and detection from an early age is the key to reversing the soaring rates of skin cancer cases in the UK, creating a positive impact on our future generations and those to come. Skin would like to thank the BBC for this opportunity, the people of Derbyshire and East Staffordshire for their generosity and compassion and ultimately Colin for taking us on his courageous journey and for making difference.
