CHEEKY farmers have bared all for a calendar inspired by the Calendar Girls and, ironically, created in the same parish as the original, famous one.

Tom Carlisle, a sheep and beef farmer from Coxons Farm, Cracoe, in Upper Wharfedale, persuaded his friends and some of their wives and girlfriends to strip off earlier this year and spent eight months gathering together a collection of pictures for the 2024 issue.

The calendar is already selling well and is heading towards the £10,000 target Tom hopes to raise for the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

He explained: "Back in November last year my wife, Aimee, was diagnosed with breast cancer. This came as a huge shock, not only because she was so young - just 26 - but also because she was 29 weeks pregnant at the time. We had to act quickly. Fortunately it was detected very early and hadn’t spread anywhere else.

"She underwent surgery within two weeks of diagnosis at Airedale Hospital. There were so many staff on hand at the time in case of problems. Fortunately it went smoothly thanks to the brilliant care at the hospital. She recovered in time for the birth of our son, William, on December 28 by c-section and then had six rounds of chemotherapy over three months.

"I am happy to say that both Aimee and William are doing really well."

The Pink Ribbon Foundation is a grant making trust with a mission to fund projects and provide financial support to UK charities which relieve the needs of people who are suffering from or have been affected by breast cancer, or who work to advance the understanding of breast cancer and its early detection and treatment.

Tom added: "The calendar will not only raise money for the foundation, but will also raise awareness of breast cancer, particularly in young woman which is very rare and even more rare while pregnant."

The calendar is a farming/countryside theme similar in style to that of the original Calendar Girls which was created in 1999 by members of nearby Rylstone WI. The seasonal scenes are shot in black and white, with hints of pink signifying breast cancer awareness, mostly by photographer Becky Dakin, from Hellifield. 

Aimee features on the back of the calendar where some 'bonus' shots are included.

Tom added: "We are all in the nude but it is tasteful. You may recognise some faces."

The calendars are £15 and can be ordered from the website: www.boobycalendar.com

They can also be picked up from Phoebe's Restaurant, Coach Street, Skipton, and Carrs Billington country store, at Skipton Auction Mart.