Prince George, B.C.- They are calling it the “No Burn Bar-B-Q” and its meant to spread the anti-tanning message as well as help the homeless.

 

The two Duchess Park students who won the “Tanning is Out” challenge, by spreading the word among their graduating class mates that a tan was not to be a part of their grad “outfit”, are now trying to help those who have little choice in the amount of time they spend in the sun.

 

Specifically, they are reaching out to the homeless in Prince George.

 

The students, Laura Fletcher and Kayla Buttress, have organized an awareness event for today that will feature a BBQ to feed  the homeless, and the distribution of sun safety kits.  The kits contain sunscreen, lip balm, hats, information and other donated items. 

 

“We really wanted to raise awareness about skin cancer.  There are so many myths that need to be broken” says Fletcher. “I learned a lot about the dangers of tanning and after learning about the consequences I will never intentionally tan again,” explains Buttress.

 

The students are funding the event with the money they received for winning the  “Tanning is Out”  challenge.

 

Sam Ens, shelter coordinator at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre is one of the community partners pleased to support this event.  “These kits meet a need that is not currently being met” says Ens. “In my work I see a lot of people suffering from sun damage because many of our clientele spend long hours outside.”

 

The Bar-B-Q will be sizzlin’ from 11:00 this morning to about 2:00 this afternoon at the Downtown Community Garden on Victoria Street.