Time is running out for schools and children’s organisations to get their free Portable Shade Marquee from Cancer Council Queensland.
Queensland based not-for-profit organisations that care for children up to the age of 18, such as primary and secondary schools, outside school hours care, and early childhood centres have until 28 February to apply for a free Portable Shade Marquee.
Successful applicants will be provided with a free high-quality UPF50+ portable shade marquee (3x3 meters) to give kids some extra sun protection this summer.
Organisations will also receive a SunSmart educational resource pack to help teach children more about sun safety.
Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms Chris McMillan says that shade is an essential part of children’s sun protection.
“Shade helps protect children from the damaging effects of sun exposure and reduces the risk of skin cancer.
“Shade has been shown to be an effective environmental intervention to reduce the burden of skin cancer in Queensland. Shade provision can reduce Ultraviolet Ray (UVR) exposure by up to 75%.
“Let’s help turn the Sunshine State into the SunSmart State – everyone needs access to shade,” Ms McMillan said.
More than 4000 Queenslanders are diagnosed with melanoma each year, with more than a third of childhood (under 15 years of age) melanoma cases in Australia being diagnosed in Queensland over the past decade.
Marquees are available per site so that organisations with multiple sites may be eligible for more than one marquee.
Unfortunately, numbers are limited therefore not all applicants can be guaranteed to receive the marquee.
Applications for Cancer Council Queensland’s Portable Shade Project are open from 1 December 2021 until 28 February 2022.
To apply for your free portable shade marquee, complete the application form at www.cancerqld.org.au/portableshade
Contact Cancer Council Queensland via email at SunSmartApplications@cancerqld.org.au for further information