A group of real-life Calendar Girls have stripped off to raise £10,000 for charity.
Fifteen members of Tytherington Treacles WI have bared all in a revealing, 2019 calendar shoot in aid of the Victoria Breast Screening Centre in Macclesfield.
Twelve women, aged from 39 to 76 years old, pose in a series of nude images, beautifully shot by award-winning, Manchester photographer, Emma Finch. Each photo reflects the subject's special interest or occupation - from baking and quilting, to husky-training and rock climbing. A further three women appear in the group photo on the calendar cover. The photos were all taken at Shrigley Hall.
'I've been a software developer all my life, so I'm pictured with a computer,' said Valerie Jones, aka Miss April, and Secretary of Tytherington Treacles WI.
'Our photographer, Emma, was amazing. She helped us to work out our poses and completely put us at our ease.'
Cash raised from calendar sales will help fund a new ultra-sound machine and other vital equipment at the Victoria Breast Screening Centre, which aims to detect cancers early.
'As breast cancer affects one in eight women, we all know someone who has had this terrible disease,' said Valerie.
'Two of our wonderful calendar girls have had treatment for breast cancer; it touches all of us. Early detection may mean simpler and more successful treatment. Today, breast cancer screening saves around 1,300 lives every year.'
Representatives from the Victoria Breast Screening Centre, including consultant, Mike Crotch-Harvey, were amongst guests at the calendar's Big Reveal launch night recently. Also attending was Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show presenter, Rachel Burden. She spoke movingly about her colleague and friend, Rachael Bland, who recently died from breast cancer, aged just 40.
The calendars can be bought at Macclesfield Tourist Office for £10. The WI will also have a stand at Macclesfield Treacle Market this Sunday (28 October) and in November and December. The fundraising campaign has already been boosted by a prize raffle and sponsorship from local businesses. Local printers, Spiral Printers, produced the calendars free of charge.
'This would not have happened without the support of our local community and local businesses. We have been overwhelmed by your generosity. Thank you so much,' said Valerie.
It was the WI, in a century-long tradition of campaigning, which first lobbied the government in 1975 to set up breast screen clinics. This resulted in the national screening programme being established in 1988.
'The WI has always been a formidable force for good and this month marks 100 years since the first WI Resolution,' added Valerie.
'We really hope that the sponsorship and fundraising from our calendar goes a long way to improving the lives of those in our local community.'
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