A local cheeky charity calendar has won the support of fundraising royalty – the original Calendar Girl Tricia Stewart!
Tricia famously had the idea for the Alternative WI Calendar, which launched in April 1999, going on to sell more than 300,000 calendars and raise £6.5m.
It’s a legacy members of the latest Ladies First Charity Calendar – and many others – have since been inspired by, especially now that Tricia, 77, has pledged her support.
More than 30 members of the Balsall Common based networking group, aged between 19 and 80, will stand in front of the camera striking a series of cheeky poses for the ‘sassy and sophisticated’ charity calendar – in aid of a host of nominated local and national charities.
Tricia Stewart has been announced as guest of honour at the calendar’s red carpet launch event at The Birmingham Rep Theatre on October 15th. Announcing her support, she also sent a video message to the new calendar cohort this week.
She said: “We are so proud of our legacy and so proud this carries on. I remember my name and number went out with the press releases and I was on three phones fielding calls for weeks! It was like running another business; using the skills I had learnt from running the office of my own company.
I’m delighted to be attending the launch and seeing the calendar which is about so much more than just taking your clothes off, as you’ll find out when you do it.
“I’m wishing all you amazing ladies the best of luck and look forward to meeting you. I hope you raise many thousands of pounds for your chosen charities. Have fun!”
As ‘Miss October,’ Tricia was one of 11 plucky Yorkshire ladies, aged between 45 and 65, to pose for the Rylestone & District WI naked calendar, the first of its kind, in 1999. It went on to sell 88,000 copies in the UK and, later, a further 240,000 in America – and many more since.
The aim had been to raise £5,000 and to have a calendar dedicated to the late memory of her friend Angela Baker’s late husband John. The effect of the calendar was expected to last three weeks, but 27 years on it has raised a whopping £6.5 million for the then-named Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, now Blood Cancer UK.
In September 2003, the blockbusting film ‘Calendar Girls,’ based on the story of the Alternative WI Calendar, was premiered at the Odeon, Leicester Square, with Tricia’s character played by Dame Helen Mirren.
The following year the book “The Calendar Girl’s Story” was published and, has since been reprinted and translated into many languages, including Japanese. The girls also posed for further calendars in 2004, 2005 and 2007, as well as a recipe calendar in 2008 and a ten-year anniversary edition in 2010.
The stage musical version, ‘The Girls,’ written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, has throughout the world including Australia, Canada, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Russia, Denmark, Israel, Brazil and Greece, as well as enjoying two UK national tours and a stint in London’s West End. Post-show bucket collections have added thousands more to the charity funds.
Behind the latest calendar initiative is Ladies First Professional Development Network – a national networking group which organises events and awards for inspirational female achievers across the UK.
The West Midlands-based organisation, headed up for the last 10 years by Tracey McAtamney, is proudly based on three principles referred to as the three I’s – to Inspire, to Inform and to Introduce.
Tracey said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that the original Calendar Girl herself has endorsed our Ladies First Charity Calendar and will be joining us at the launch on 15th October. It’s incredible support from such a true icon.”
“Our aim is to raise as much money as possible for over 30 charities close to our hearts, while also growing in confidence and putting ourselves out of our comfort zones. The women involved are aged from 19 to their 80’s, showing that this project truly celebrates women of all ages. Tricia’s support has given us all the boost we needed.”
Some of the charities set to benefit include Surviving Bereavement Foundation, which delivers bereavement cafes across the area, as well as: Molly Ollys; Coventry, Warwickshire & Worcestershire Mind; Prostate Cancer UK; The Giles Trust; The Esther Project; Teenage Cancer Trust; Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull; Arrive Alive; Netball Aid; Shakespeare Soroptimists; The Luca Foundation; A Child’s Heart; Anthony Nolan Trust; Safeline; Women’s Aid; The Katie Piper Foundation; Birmingham Hospice; The Friendship Project; RSPCA Coventry & District Branch; The Ruth Strauss Foundation; SAM; New Testament Church of God Foodbank.
Also looking forward to striking a pose are former TV news anchor Suzanne Virdee, retired Coventry MP Colleen Fletcher OBE and Pat Hemmings, wife of former Drifters star Roy. Joining them are the youngest calendar girls, twins 19-year-old Stacey and Tracey William.
Tricia Stewart still lives in the Yorkshire Dales and, as well as undertaking regular speaking engagements about her Calendar Girls experience, runs Body Control Pilates classes.
Headline sponsors so far include Mallory Court Hotel & Spa, where the calendar is being shot and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, who are hosting the launch event. Any companies interested in getting involved are invited to contact Tracey McAtamney at: tracey@ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk
More information can be found at: https://ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk/