A woman who lost her husband to skin cancer only a few weeks ago is urging people to stay safe in the sun in her new role as a charity ambassador.

Royston Crow: Laura, Keith and son PeterLaura, Keith and son Peter (Image: Archant)

Keith Light was only 33 when his life was claimed by malignant melanoma, leaving his wife Laura and two-year-old son Peter behind.

Keith was regularly exposed to the sun in his job doing home and garden maintenance, and in 2012 he had a mole on his back checked almost by chance.

Laura said: “He didn’t actually go to the doctors for the mole – he had an unrelated nose bleed. While he was there the doctor said: ‘Do you have anything else?’”

A biopsy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge pointed to a cancer diagnosis and, after surgery to have his lymph nodes removed, Keith was initially given the all clear.

But in October routine checks confirmed that the melanoma had spread, and he died on April 22.

Laura said: “Keith was really fun and loved life. He was loud and made an impression on whoever he met.

“He was very outgoing and a real extrovert. He knew a lot of people around Royston.”

When Keith fell ill a few months ago, he bought himself an old red Mini and the young family also set off on a trip to California in the USA.

Keith was an army baby and grew up in Essex. He met Laura in 2001, and the pair moved to Litlington a few years ago.

The 37-year-old said: “We bought a cottage that we renovated and just fell in love with the village.”

To raise awareness of skin cancer, Laura became Royston ambassador of the Nottingham-based Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity – the UK’s only national skin cancer-specific charity.

The cause is named after another sufferer who died at an early age of the condition, which can largely be prevented by proper protection.

Laura has so far raised more than £2,000 for the charity through her JustGiving page, and that money will help to educate and promote prevention and early detection, with focus on schools and organisations in Royston and surrounding villages.

She will also be supported by Royston Round Table, a group that Keith chaired.

A memorial service will be held for Keith on Monday at St Catherine’s Church in Litlington.

You can donate to Laura’s JustGiving page by visiting www.justgiving.com/Laura-Light2.

Sun Awareness Week runs until Sunday. Experts recommend to always wearing a sun screen of factor 15 or more, to safeguard young babies by keeping them in the shade, and to wear protective clothing against the sun’s harmful rays.