In partnership with Bolton Wanderers in the Community, Bolton Wanderers Football Club have installed free sunscreen protection dispensers at the stadium and Lostock training ground.
The sunscreen protection will be available for first-team players, academy players, coaches, community activities and ground staff that are training, playing and working outside and exposed to the sun.
This initiative has been dedicated in memory of Aidy Harrison, who tragically died aged 34 last November.
Aidy was diagnosed with skin cancer – which then spread to his lungs – five years before his death.
A massive Bolton Wanderers fan, Aidy (pictured above with favourite player Jay Jay Okocha) served in the British Army in Germany and Afghanistan. Following his service he worked as one of the BWFC match-day staff incident team.
His parents are keen to highlight the importance of sunscreen protection from an early age and through this initiative are able to get this message out on a wider platform.
Michael Foster, Facilities and Safety Coordinator at BWFC, has worked hard to source the right dispensers and product for this initiative.
Phil Mason, CEO of BWitC and Club Chaplain, said: “I was with Aidy and his family on the day he died and it was so sad to see such a lovely lad of only 34 lose his life in such a way.
“The pain of having to say goodbye and letting go was unbearable for all the family. No parent wants to go through the loss of one of their children and the family miss Aidy dearly.
“Hopefully with this initiative we can do something positive in his memory, raise awareness of the need for sun protection, and save others from getting skin cancer.”
Wanderers’ manager Ian Evatt met with Aidy’s parents (pictured top alongside Phil) at the training ground and was keen to support this important initiative and get the word out about the right protection.