South Warwickshire’s answer to The Calendar Girls are paying a special visit to Leamington’s Royal Priors this weekend – but don’t worry, they’ll be wearing more than just their smiles!
And every person who purchases a copy of the limited-edition calendar, is in with a chance of winning a phenomenal prize worth £1,800.
Some of the local contingent of the Ladies First Charity Calendar, will be on hand to sign exclusive copies, as part of their tour around the region.
They are among 39 members of the West Midlands-based networking group, aged between 19 and 80, who struck a series of cheeky poses – at a ‘top secret’ photoshoot in Leamington in May.
And, in a huge coup for the fundraisers, national retailer Calendar Club is also selling the charity calendar at their Leamington store – alongside their stores in Coventry and Solihull – on the lead in to Christmas.
Nicola Cormell, Centre Manager at Royal Priors, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Ladies First Charity Calendar signing event at Royal Priors on Saturday, 14th November. It’s a fantastic opportunity to welcome some of the women featured in the calendar and give our customers the chance to meet them, purchase a calendar from Calendar Club and support such an important cause.
“We’re proud to support an initiative that brings together so many inspiring local women while raising awareness and funds for a diverse range of charities. We’re delighted that Royal Priors can play a part in helping Ladies First reach this goal. We look forward to welcoming the community on Saturday and encouraging everyone to get behind the calendar and the fantastic charities it supports.”
The event runs between 10am-4pm, and anyone who buys a calendar on the day will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a hamper of treats. They will also qualify for the chance to win a custom-made item of diamond jewellery worth £1,800, courtesy of Rafayel Diamonds because all calendars sold bear a unique serial number. The winning number will be randomly drawn on Valentine’s Day next year.
This weekend’s plucky local line-up includes three of the calendar organisers photographer Jane Collier; Amanda Chalmers and Ladies First director Tracey McAtamney whose 60th birthday this year inspired the calendar project. They are also joined, among others, by presenter and DJ Kirsty Leahy; TV newsreader Suzanne Virdee; Beverly Clarke, of The Travel Boutique by Beverly; Sue Cressman, co-owner of Nailcote Hall; and Elinor Perry, partner at Pentlands Accountants and Advisors in Leamington.
She said: “I am beyond grateful and incredibly excited that what began as a charity calendar to celebrate my 60th birthday and raise money for charity has grown into something truly extraordinary.
“What started as a personal challenge has become a much bigger movement, bringing together incredible women, amazing supporters and businesses who have believed in our vision. With the wonderful backing of Calendar Club UK now selling our calendars, it really is simply amazing to see how far this journey has come.
“We would love to meet people in Leamington on Saturday to sign calendars and chat about our ‘calendar experience.’ I am sure that everyone will have been touched in some way by at least one of the charities we’re supporting. We’d love to hear your story.”
Local and national charities benefiting this time around include: Surviving Bereavement Foundation; Molly Ollys; Coventry, Warwickshire & Worcestershire Mind; Prostate Cancer UK; The Esther Project; Teenage Cancer Trust; Arrive Alive; Shakespeare Soroptimists; The Luca Foundation; A Child’s Heart; Anthony Nolan Trust; Women’s Aid; The Katie Piper Foundation; Birmingham Hospice; The Friendship Project; SAMM (Support After Murder & Manslaughter); Birmingham Children’s Hospital; The National Autistic Society; The NTCG Rock Community Food; WAITS; DORCAS; Endometriosis UK; Myton Hospice; Purple Community Fund PCF; Blue Badgers; Dementia UK; The Queen Brain Tumour Fund; Blood Cancer UK; Edward’s Trust and breast cancer equipment for Birmingham hospitals.
Headline sponsors for the calendar include Pertemps in Meriden; Mallory Court Hotel & Spa, where the calendar was shot and Unique Venues Birmingham. It’s not too late for any other companies to get involved with donations. Contact Tracey McAtamney at: tracey@ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk
Calendars can be purchased HERE.
