Why saving lives is simply blooming marvellous

The British Skin Foundation (BSF) is asking people across the UK to put their feet up, sit back and relax in their gardens over the summer period to help in the fight against skin disease.

With its lush greenery and swathes of unspoilt countryside, Surrey is an ideal setting for the most relaxing charity event this summer - Open Gardens. The idea is simple, hold a barbeque, party or just have some friends round, raise some money by collection and send it through to the BSF.

Now that summer is finally here, this is the perfect time to do something about the situation of skin cancer in the UK. With the recent news that male deaths from malignant melanoma have doubled in the last three decades, the national research charity is keen to highlight the ways in which we can all have a great summer whilst staying safe in the sun.

Worryingly skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the UK, with over 100,000 new cases of the disease diagnosed every year. About a tenth of these new cases will be diagnosed as melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. In 2008 alone, a total of 1847 people died from the disease. Aside from being a simple fundraising affair, Open Gardens aims to remind people that pale skin can burn in as little as ten minutes on a summers day in the UK. So whether you’re out gardening, hold a BBQ or just reading in the garden, remember to keep yourself protected from the sun.

The inspiration behind the event came from one BSF supporter last summer who decided to hold a garden party in her garden last summer. Charging for teas and cake, an incredible £900 was raised in one day.
 
British Skin Foundation Chief Executive, Matthew Patey, says: “It’s easy to get carried away when you’re out and about in the sun, even when you’re at home. The Open Gardens event is a potent reminder that not all fundraising events need to involve a pair of running shoes, training and buckets of sweat. It can be as simple as having a good time at home, whether it’s simply having friends over a for a cup of tea and some cake or holding a house party on a summer’s evening. If people follow a few simple tips about staying safe in the sun when out in the garden, there’s little to stop most people from making the most of not just the weather, but of the occasion itself.”

To get a FREE BSF Open Gardens pack, contact the BSF events officer on 0207 391 6352 or simply email bsfevents@bad.org.uk.

Source: www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk