Sunshine, showers and SPF in Victoria Park

Despite a classic British summer day of rain, thunderstorms, clouds, and eventually some sunshine, North East London Cancer Alliance made quite the splash in Victoria Park on Saturday 19 July, with a bright yellow twist on sun safety awareness.

In partnership with skin cancer charity Skcin and healthcare communications agency AKT Health, a JPA Health Company, the Alliance hosted a colourful and engaging event designed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting your skin whatever the weather. At the heart of the event was a vibrant yellow "ice cream" van, cleverly repurposed to hand out free sun cream instead of the usual sweet scoops and treats.

With the tagline “LDN Get Sun Set”, the campaign is focused on helping residents across North East London understand the importance of sun protection, the risks of skin cancer, and how to spot the signs early. The unusual weather on the day added an extra layer of relevance to the team’s core message: you need to apply sun cream even when it’s cloudy or rainy, as UV rays can still damage your skin.

“We often associate sunburn and skin cancer with beach holidays and heatwaves, but the reality is that UV rays can be harmful all year round – even on cloudy or cool days,” said Caroline Cook, Programme Lead for Early Diagnosis at North East London Cancer Alliance. “This event in Victoria Park gave us the perfect opportunity to talk directly to our community, bust some common myths, and share practical tips on how to stay safe in the sun.”

With colourful visuals and a welcoming team on hand, the sun cream van quickly became a hub for residents enjoying the park – or sheltering from the intermittent showers! Team members engaged with parkgoers of all ages, handing out free SPF, offering sun safety advice, and listening to people’s personal experiences of skin health and cancer.

“We swapped cones for coverage and sprinkles for SPF,” said Rosie O’Dea, Project Manager at North East London Cancer Alliance. “It may have been raining when we set up, but that actually helped start important conversations. UV rays don’t take a break just because the sun’s not shining. So many people were surprised to learn that even on grey days, their skin can still be at risk.”

Throughout the day, the team spoke to dozens of north east London residents, from families and joggers to cyclists and dog walkers, many of whom were keen to learn more about how they could protect themselves and their loved ones from skin damage and detect potential signs of skin cancer early.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK. While it is often preventable through safe sun habits, public awareness remains low about year-round protection and early symptom recognition. The LDN Get Sun Set campaign aims to change that through a travelling programme of events, community outreach, social media campaigns and practical education.

Saturday’s Victoria Park stop was just the beginning. The bright yellow van and outreach team will be visiting parks, markets, and community events across north east London from now through October, bringing the message of sun safety directly to residents where they are.

To learn more about the LDN Get Sun Set campaign, including upcoming events and tips on skin protection and spotting the signs of skin cancer, visit www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/LDN-get-sun-set.

As the sun finally broke through the clouds toward the end of the afternoon, it felt like perfect timing – a live demonstration of the event’s key takeaway: whether it’s grey, drizzly, or gloriously sunny, skin protection is always in season.