SCaRF Skin Cancer Research Fund

Department of Plastic Surgery
Frenchay Hospital
Frenchay
BRISTOL
BS16 1LE
e-mail : Caroline.Newton@north-bristol.swest.nhs.uk
web-site www.skin-cancer-research-fund.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 284582
Telephone 0117 9701212 Extension 3130

Dear Headteacher

 

THIS WILL BE THE LAST YEAR THAT THE COMPETITION WILL RUN IN THIS FORM

NEW COMPETITION FOR 2010

Playground Shade – Schools Competition 2009

Win up to £500 for your school

Does your school have shaded areas that the pupils can use when outside at lunch times and break times or are they at risk of getting sun burnt?  Children’s skin is vulnerable and there is strong evidence to show that sun damage caused to the skin before the age of 16 years can increase the chances of getting skin cancer in later life.  Children are often outside during the school day when the sun is at tits strongest and most damaging.  The Trustees of SCaRF are concerned about this potential threat to our children and parents are becoming increasingly concerned that schools should provide more shade for their children in their play and learning environment.

DO YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE SHADE IN YOUR SCHOOL GROUNDS?

This will be the eleventh successive year that SCaRF has organised a competition open to all Primary schools in the old County of Avon area to encourage the provision of shaded areas in school grounds.  Since the competition started this charity has paid nearly £32,000 to schools so that they can construct a shaded area in their school grounds. The amount of prize money available in 2009 is £4,000.  Last year the winning school from South Gloucestershire was; Charborough Road Primary School, from City of Bristol; Broomhill Infant School, and from Bath and North East Somerset; Westfield Primary School.  We were rather disappointed in the low number of entries we had to last year’s competition and not all the prize money was allocated.  Next year, 2010 the competition will have a completely new look so this is your last chance to enter in this tried and tested format. 

The competition is open to all Primary schools in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.  To enter, complete and return the enclosed form, which asks for your ideas, whether part of an existing development or still at the planning stage, on how to increase the area of shade in the school grounds.  You may decide to put up a gazebo or build a pergola, construct a lean-to canopy, create a covered walkway or plant trees.  Whatever it is tell us about it and if you win we will help to finance it.   

If you would like more information about sun awareness and the need for shade or you would like someone to call at your school to discuss sun awareness please contact Mrs Caroline Newton SCaRF secretary at the above address.   

Attached is a sheet to help you know what the judges will be looking for in your entry. Click here.

The Prizes – SCaRF will match the funds of the winning schools £ for £ up to a maximum of £500 in order to help you achieve your chosen structure.  So, for example, if a winning school has raised, saved or set aside £300, SCaRF will give an equal amount to enable a project costing £600 to be fully funded.  At least two prizes are available in each Unitary Authority area. 

Closing Date – Entries must be received at the SCaRF office by Friday 30 October 2009.  Notification of winners will be in December 2009.