Participants and staff from Endeavour’s programs across the Hunter attended the presentation by Cancer Council community relations coordinator Glen Parsons.

Mr Parsons spoke about the importance of conducting skin checks and protecting your skin with the warmer months approaching.

Endeavour’s regional coordinator Sally Pereira said she organised the event after a shock diagnosis with skin cancer last year.

“I had two skin cancers cut from my ear and that motivated me to contact the Cancer Council and organise the event,” Ms Pereira said.

“I didn’t know the importance of sun safety and I paid the price.”

The group is selling wide-brimmed hats for $25 to encourage the public to stay covered in the sun, with $1 from every hat donated to the Cancer Council NSW.

“We do fundraisers for ourselves as a not-for-profit organisation but this time we wanted to give back to a cause that was close to home,” Ms Pereira said.

Mr Parsons said taking preventative measures are crucial for stopping the spread of potentially deadly skin cancers.

“If just one person gets checked after my talk today and it saves their lives, that’s what this is all about,” Mr Parsons said.

To buy a hat, contact Bec on 0447 387 944 or Sally on 0429 365 650.

5 STEPS TO STAYING SUN-SAFE

1. SLIP on sunscreen

2. SLOP on a long-sleeved shirt

3. SLAP on a hat

4. SEEK shade

5. SLIDE on sunglasses