Sunscreen free for summer

New Zealand has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, yet the cost of sunscreen and skin-checks is a barrier for many people.

SkinCan, a Christchurch group dedicated to raising awareness of skin cancer, is trying to change that.

The group is installing free sunscreen dispensers at three sites across the city – the Margaret Mahy Family Playground, the Botanic Gardens, and Sumner’s Scarborough Park – for a sixmonth pilot scheme.

Permanent public dispensers are widespread in the United States, but the trial is believed to be a New Zealand first. If it proves successful, SkinCan hopes it can be rolled out elsewhere in the country.

The first dispenser is being installed today at the playground, while the other two are expected to be operational next week. The trial is supported by the Christchurch City Council.

Tomorrow, SkinCan is holding its second free skin-check clinic at the Canterbury Charity Hospital. A group of dermatologists and GPs did full-body checks for about 160 people last year. This year, there will be 250.

Leeann Marriott, a Christchurch real estate agent, is one of the founders of the group. She was inspired to do something after the death of her brother, Andrew Bulman, from melanoma in 2015. ‘‘We just used his story as a catalyst, but there are lots of people of all ages out there going through skin cancer and melanoma treatment.’’