Working as volunteers for the Cancer Council NSW’s Eat It To Beat It, trained program facilitators run free workshops for parents at primary schools and in the community.

They give families ideas, skills and resources to include more fruit and vegetables in lunch boxes and the household diet.

Cancer Council-commissioned research shows that up to four per cent of all cancers could be prevented if people ate more fruit, vegetables and fibre.

Alarmingly in Western NSW, 92 per cent of adults don’t eat enough vegetables, while 52 per cent don’t eat enough fruit, NSW Health statistics show.

Western NSW Community Programs Coordinator Camilla Thompson said program facilitators played an important role in improving the health of children and families.

“In spreading the message about eating the recommended two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables every day, program facilitators are helping families and children reduce their cancer risk and maintain their health,” she said.

“In return they receive support and mentoring from an experienced team of health professionals, learn valuable personal and presentation skills and make a contribution to the Western NSW community.”

Camilla said demand was growing for Eat It To Beat It’s Healthy Lunch Box and Fruit & Veg Sense workshops.

More volunteers were needed to deliver the program.

“Our volunteers receive full training and ongoing support and get personal satisfaction from delivering a cancer prevention message to the community,” she said.

The next program facilitator training will be held locally in late August. Training and resources are free of charge, lunch is provided and reimbursement for travel is available.

For information contact Camilla Thompson on (02) 6392 0804 or camilla.thompson@nswcc.org.au