Model friends make a date to boost funds for hospice
A GROUP of friends have created a nude calendar to raise money for charity.
The models, who range in age from 37 to 73, are raising money for Springhill Hospice in Rochdale and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham.
Organiser Jo Hezelgrave lost her mother-in-law, Doreen Whitworth. who was 67, to cancer in 2014, who was part of an art group at Springhill.
She also lost mum Linda to cancer in 2017 and many of the models have suffered from cancer themselves.
There are three male models and the rest are female.
Jo said: “We got in touch with the hospices and they were behind it.
“We had a local photographer, Lorraine Hinks, take the photos free of charge, and local artist Steve Whitworth did the graphic design, who was also a model alongside his wife, Carole.
“We wanted to keep the costs down so we could give more to charity.
“We’ve kept it tasteful and everyone has said how nice it is.”
The team of models, who began putting the calendar together last November, are all friends who know each other partly through Jo’s father in law, Roger Whitworth, who was chairman of Middleton Cricket Club and has since passed away, and from community Facebook group Old Middleton New Middleton.
The models, all from Middleton, are Lynn Etchells, Sharon Varley, Gavin Leivers, Bernard Wynne, Lisa Lane, Diane Wood, Jean Iveson, Jeanette Holden, Nicky Routledge, Leigh Mitchinson, Steve Whitworth and Carole Whitworth.
Local businesses have also sponsored the calendar, including The Foot clinic, Wynne’s Flower Vibes, Henstock Properties, The Oddfellows Arms, Ians Donatellos, Mrs K’s Kaff, Pearson Ferrier, The Wilton, Miss K’s hair den, Middleton Round Table, House of Hair and Beauty and The Ring O Bells
Photographer Lorraine Hinks of Key Moments Photography also offered her service and time free of charge.
Jo added: “Obviously we needed to raise as much money as possible and this is why we opted for local businesses to act as sponsors for this worthy cause, all benefits are to be donated to Springhill Hospice and Dr Kershaw’s - they will each receive half of the amount raised.
“Both hospices are on board and extremely supportive of what we are doing.”
The calendars, of which 1,000 have been printed, are selling for either £6 each or £10 for two, and the sponsors have all received a small amount to sell.
A launch evening was held on July 18 at the coffee bar in Middleton Gardens.