Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
This May, Long Rake Spar is marking Skin Cancer Awareness Month with an awareness initiative inspired by the experiences of group sales director Shane McCormick, a three time skin cancer survivor.
As part of the initiative, the business has partnered with LifeJacket Skin Protection, whose SPF 50+ SunGel products are being distributed throughout the campaign.
Throughout the month, Long Rake Spar has been sharing skin cancer facts, prevention advice and educational content across its platforms to help raise awareness of the risks associated with prolonged sun exposure for outdoor workers.
The campaign is already gathering momentum through several industry events and awareness activities.
On May 11, McCormick attended the Chelsea Flower Show, handing out sunscreen awareness flyers alongside LifeJacket sample SunGel sachets and speaking directly with landscaping professionals about the importance of skin protection for outdoor workers.
Shane will also appear on national morning television before travelling to Parliament later that day to continue raising awareness of occupational sun exposure and the need for greater education and policy change around skin cancer prevention, followed by a charity football match, in which Long Rake Spar will face builders merchants Tippers. Funds raised from the match will support charitable causes through the campaign’s JustGiving page.
McCormick said: “If this campaign encourages just one person to get a mole checked or start protecting their skin properly at work, then it has done something worthwhile. This industry spends huge amounts of time outdoors and too many people still underestimate the risks.”
