Find Your
12 May 2026
Long Rake Spar is supporting Skin Cancer Awareness Month with an industry-wide campaign aimed at raising awareness of the risks outdoor workers face from prolonged sun exposure.
The initiative has been inspired by the experiences of Group Sales Director, Shane McCormick, a three-time skin cancer survivor, whose personal journey has highlighted the importance of better UV protection awareness across merchanting, landscaping and construction industries.
Throughout May, the business is sharing educational content, prevention advice and skin cancer awareness messaging across its platforms, encouraging better sun protection habits for those working outdoors.
As part of the campaign, Long Rake Spar has partnered with LifeJacket Skin Protection, whose SPF 50+ SunGel products are being distributed throughout the initiative. LifeJacket has supplied both bottles and sample sachets of sunscreen to support awareness events and encourage safer working practices outdoors.
The campaign has already included activity at the Chelsea Flower Show build, where Shane handed out sunscreen awareness flyers alongside LifeJacket sample sachets and spoke directly with landscaping professionals about the importance of UV protection for outdoor workers.
As part of the wider initiative, Shane will also appear on national morning television before travelling to Parliament later that day to continue raising awareness of occupational sun exposure and the need for greater education and policy change around skin cancer prevention.
The same evening, Long Rake Spar will face Tippers in a charity football match aimed at raising both awareness and funds for the cause.
Shane McCormick said:
“If this campaign encourages just one person to get a mole checked or start protecting their skin properly at work, then it has done something worthwhile. This industry spends huge amounts of time outdoors and too many people still underestimate the risks.”
Around 86% of skin cancer cases are considered preventable, yet outdoor workers remain disproportionately exposed to prolonged UV radiation through the nature of their jobs.
Long Rake Spar says the initiative is focused on encouraging practical action across the industry. Last year, the business installed sunscreen stations across its production sites, allowing outdoor workers to apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the working day. Sunscreen is also made available to drivers arriving on site.
The business hopes more companies across the sector will follow suit in taking practical steps to help protect their workforce.
Funds raised through the charity football match will support charitable causes through the campaign’s JustGiving page:
https://bit.ly/4d163jH