Action Cancer '˜sharpens up' its act

This means that everyday sharps items, such as nail files and scissors, have to be left behind by passengers.

Belfast International Airport has teamed up with Action Cancer to see these restricted items put to good use.

Rod Haskins, airport operations and security manager explains: “We know that many passengers wonder what happens to these types of ‘sharp’ items once they are disposed of at the security search area.

“At the suggestion of our police sergeant, Jim Reynolds, we have been working closely with Action Cancer to develop a highly visible ‘sharps’ box which is situated at the entrance to the security search area. “Passengers can put their restricted items safely into the box and Action Cancer will either resell these items in their shops or recycle the items with any money generated going directly to the charity.

“We hope that by passengers knowing exactly where their items are going will take the sting out of losing them.”

Action Cancer Ambassador Janet Gaw, from Carrickfergus, says she owes her life to the charity’s lifesaving breast screening service for women aged 40-49 and 70+ (outside of NHS screening age range).

Action Cancer detected Janet’s breast cancer at an early and treatable stage, and she is now well and cancer free.

All monies generated from the sale or recycling of the sharps items will go to fund Action Cancer’s prevention, detection and support services in Northern Ireland.