A giant slice of watermelon will spread melanoma awareness and sun-safe messaging on the hot summer streets and in the schools of the Hunter after it was unveiled by the Hunter Melanoma Foundation (HMF) at Hamilton Public School yesterday.

The new branded van, funded by a $37,000 grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, will play a vital role in building community awareness about melanoma and skin cancer in the Hunter for the next five to 10 years.

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chairman Michael Slater said he was proud to support the initiative.

“With the high rate of skin cancer in the Hunter and the significant impact this has on individuals, families and our community, the Charitable Foundation didn’t hesitate to support the work of the Hunter Melanoma Foundation,” Michael said.

“We hope this new, more reliable and functional vehicle will provide ongoing benefits to HMF as a replacement to its old vehicle, and act as an eye catching message whenever it’s on the road or in a school.”

Hunter Melanoma Foundation CEO, Jenny Noblet said the vehicle would transport educational material when visiting schools and local workplaces, and HMF marquees to outdoor events including golf days, race days and community awareness events.

“We’re so grateful to the Charitable Foundation for this grant, because the new van will drastically improve our capacity to take the melanoma and skin cancer message to our community,” Jenny said.

“While the Hunter lifestyle is great because of our beautiful outdoors, a tan is not worth a life lost or painful battle with cancer, and now our fellow residents will remember that whenever they see the giant slice of watermelon rolling down the road toward them.”

The Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. To date, the Charitable Foundation has provided over $11 million for almost 280 projects in regional NSW including over $4 million in funding for local projects in the Hunter region.