Hundreds of people will gather at Coledale Beach for a landmark event designed to raise awareness, connect the community and support the early detection of skin cancer.

Hosted by local not-for-profit Skin Check Champions, the Breakfast of Champions will bring together local leaders, health advocates, business figures and community members for a morning of fire-cooked food, conversation and purpose next Thursday (26 February) at 8.30am.

The breakfast coincides with National Skin Check Day and marks a significant milestone for the Illawarra-based charity.

“This time of year is critical,” says Scott Maggs, South Coast local and founder of Skin Check Champions.

“We’re coming off a long Australian summer — long days in the sun, beach holidays, backyard cricket, worksites, surf and sport.

It’s when UV exposure is at its peak and when small changes in our skin often start to appear.”

Maggs has been the face — and iconic beard — of the skin cancer movement in Australia for more than a decade.

His journey to advocacy began in 2010 after his best mate, Wes, died from melanoma at the age of 26.

Since then, Skin Check Champions has delivered more than 36,000 skin checks to Australians in regional, remote and high-risk communities — detecting thousands of skin cancers and building a national movement focused on early detection.

In the process, Scott became an unlikely celebrity — famous for the “bushranger beard” he started growing after Wes died, launching a publicity campaign to raise $1 million before he shaved it off.

In 2021, the team reached their fundraising target.

For Maggs, the breakfast is about celebration, connection and awareness.

Breakfast will be served as a long, open-air fire feast by Earth Walker & Co., with the beachside setting created by teepee company, South Coast Tipis.

Guests will also have the opportunity to book a skin check on the day via the charity’s Silver Bullet mobile clinic.

At the breakfast, the not-for-profit will launch a new national skin health technology platform, developed by Skin Check Champions to help Australians identify skin cancer earlier and stay connected to follow-up care.

Ambassador Deborah Hutton will attend, alongside Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown (both of whom have had significant skin cancer scares), as well as Federal Members of Parliament and NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park.

“Skin cancer affects two in three Australians, but early detection saves lives,” Maggs says. “This event is about connection, education and action — and showing that looking out for your mates really can make a difference.”

To book tickets, visit skincheckchampions.com.