WE’RE THE CARLENDAR GIRLS
PALS STRIP TO RAISE CASH FOR OVARIAN CANCER FIGHT
WHEN these sporty models went on display at a vintage car garage, they had no hesitation about showing off their bodywork.
The stripped-down classics put vital fundraising into top gear by bravely posing nude for this “Car-lendar Girls” shoot.
But their cheeky poses hid shock and heartbreak – because the cancer sufferer who helped inspire the event had died just 24 hours before.
Robyn Miller, 52, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last February.
And her sister-in-law Helen came up with the idea of recreating the photoshoot from hit movie Calendar Girls at a local classic cars auction showroom.
Nurse Helen said: “Robyn was married to my brother Tim, and when she was diagnosed, the whole family were devastated. We had discussed doing the calendar as we all know someone who has been affected by breast or ovarian cancer, and it took a while for it to get organised.
“Robyn fought so bravely and it was an awful shock when she died the day before the photoshoot.
NERVES
“It was hard to carry on, but we all knew how vital it was to raise money and awareness. Most of us knew Robyn, so we all realised how each other was feeling.”
The shoot took place in October at Mathewsons car auctioneers in Thorntonle-dale, North Yorkshire – which is also the setting for the UKTV auction show Bangers and Cash.
The women walked there in their dressing gowns – just like Julie Walters and the other stars of the 2003 comedy film.
Helen, who was Miss May, bending over an open bonnet with a can of engine starter spray, said: “We did each shot with our dressing gowns on at first.
“When we were happy with the pose we would go for it. We are all different ages – the youngest was 32. But age didn’t matter. We all got stuck into it.”
The oldest was 57-year-old Sarah Hyde, Miss September, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
Sam Walton, 50, runs a travel firm with husband Eric. She said: “He was away when we shot it and didn’t realise I’d taken part.
“When he looked through it he got to April and said, ‘Oh my God, that’s you!’. It was exciting to be doing something cheeky.”
The women hope to raise €5,500 from the calendar’s sale for Women V Cancer, which covers Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. They support thousands of sufferers and fund treatment research.
features@sundaymirror.co.uk
■ To buy a calendar, contact Mathewsons on 0044 1751 474455 or enquire@ mathewsons.co.uk. Donate to Helen’s fundraising at justgiving.com/fundraising/ Helen-miller33
Robyn fought so bravely. It was a shock when she died the day before shoot HELEN MILLER ON THE TRAGEDY BEHIND SMILES