Stix worked very hard and spent a lot of time generating donations for us, doing everything by hand, working closely with the players, to provide signed merchandise for fans. He did this willingly, without ego, or need for recognition or thanks. He did it as he wants to create a legacy for Bruce, and I believe that intrinsically he really is the most amazing human.
With his help, we created the Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code, a campaign for all who work outdoors with children. Partnered with the Association for Physical Education (AfPE), Child Protection in Sport Unit (NSPCC), UK Coaching, Youth Sport Trust, it is supported by over 120 National Governing Bodies of Sport and outdoor organisations.
Last year in 2021, we launched the Sun-Sorted! Quiz, which aims to ensure that children who spend a lot of time outdoors in organised sport or other outdoor activities, understand why sun protection should be part of the game.
To give back to the club, we worked closely with LUFC’s soccer schools last year, providing Sun-Sorted! sunscreen kits for over 600 grassroots players, keeping them sun protected and educated.
Thank you
Michelle Baker – CEO
Melanoma Fund
(Registered charity number 0185060)
https://melanoma-fund.co.uk/
Stix say’s
” This is a charity that is very close to my heart.
In 2005 we (Leeds United) lost one of our staff members to this terrible disease. Mr Bruce Craven (32) was one of our medical staff, in fact he was the fitness co-ordinator. A very fit all around sportsman and a very likeable young man.
When Bruce passed the Melanoma Charity (Mr Harry Townsend in those days) contacted the club to offer his kindness and assistance to Bruce’s family.
The club held a spectacular fundraising event, brought about by our physio Alan Sutton who did a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes to make the event so successful. That event alone raised in excess of £65,000.
Then the players, headed by captain Paul Butler, had a word with me as they wanted the club to embrace the Melanoma Charity going forwards. The players paid £2,000 out of their own pockets for light green wristbands to be made and distributed to highlight the charity and its work, and we did what we could to assist the charity, for example with player appearances and photo shoots.
Paul then suggested to me that maybe we could get the supporters involved in this fundraising. So when fans requested a celebration card signed by the playing staff, we would politely ask if they would make a small donation to Melanoma if they were able to, and I in time came up with the idea of a corresponding certificate signed by the manager to accompany the card. These were so popular with supporters and so as a group, we had created a win-win situation, and all in Bruce’s memory.
I am informed by the charity that we – you the supporters along with the players – raised over £200,000.00 for The Melanoma Charity in memory of Mr Bruce Craven which, amongst other things, contributed to the implementation and success of the ‘Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code’ campaign which was rolled out in schools and sports/activity clubs across the country.”
Stix
