Layton Primary School Year 3 teacher, Jemma Bunce with Michelle Forsyth, Brian Watson and Alice Nutt and Year 3 pupils Imaan (8) and Jaida (8) and Year 3 Team Leader, Alice Nutt,
A Poulton skin cancer survivor has helped a Blackpool school learn about sun safety.
Brian Watson, 81, visited Layton Primary school along with Clifton Hospital’s Skin Care Coordinator, Michelle Forsyth, to present Year 3 with a special sun cream dispensing board.
Brian has had 11 operations to remove skin cancer and spoke to the children to advise them to say safe in the sun. He said: “I didn’t think I would get skin cancer at my age.
“I’ve loved being in the sun all my life and was shocked when the cancers kept being diagnosed. To help spread awareness, especially among youngsters, I’ve come along to talk about my experience and I’ve also donated money to skin cancer charity Skcin to help them continue their good work with the community.”
Michelle Forsyth had previously visited the school to educate the pupils about sun safety. The school has really taken the message on board and now have sunscreen in every one of the 21 classrooms. The special board, which was bought with Brian’s donation, will be mounted in the playground.
Michelle said: “It is my job to visit businesses and services in the community to make them aware of how to keep safe in the sun. In my Macmillan funded role, I work closely with the Karen Clifford skin cancer charity, Skcin, who supply the special boards. Layton have done really well in embracing the cause.”
Michelle Forsyth with the Year 3 pupils
Year 3 Team Leader, Alice Nutt, said: “I think the sun safety awareness course is a brilliant idea. Children can easily get burnt in the sun, so we feel we are teaching them life skills for the future.”
Brian added: “My treatment at Clifton Hospital made me feel human again – they really look after me. It’s lovely to be able to give something back by helping prevent young people getting skin cancer.”
A video of the event can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BqnSsY6Ckk