NAKED AND FAMOUS: Cheeky calendar for a cause

Cheeky indeed were members of Macclesfield’s Young At Heart Club last week when getting their kits off in preparation for a fundraising Cancer Council calendar.

Taking inspiration from 2003 film Calendar Girls, Macclesfield club members raised around $7000 in 2018 through a “nudie” photo shoot, and will soon recreate the light-hearted calendar.

Featured on The Project’s Friday night segment, club members helped put Macclesfield on the map while raising awareness on a devastating disease.

Club co-ordinator Cathy Megson-McAllister, who – like many others – has been severely impacted by cancer, shared an exciting calendar detail ahead of Wednesday morning’s Biggest Morning Tea Event in the town institute.

“The calendar has to be completed by the end of July, and this time we are going to shoot in front of Macclesfield’s historical buildings like the institute, post office, RSL, pubs, general store etc,” she revealed.

“There’s some beautiful buildings in Macclesfield and the main street is looking amazing, so we may have to get some ladies to hold some tarps up (for privacy), but we will get it done.”

Baring all, 22 ladies are involved in the recreated calendar – about 10 from the original.

Receiving much media exposure, the club’s fundraising efforts also featured on Channel 7’s breakfast show Sunrise following a cross from Wednesday’s morning tea.

Ms Megson-McAllister was pleased to see donations starting to roll in on the club’s Cancer Council fundraising page.

“So many of our members have been affected by cancer, if not having it themselves, seeing it affect their family or friends, and I think for us the funds are for research because we need to find a cure,” she emphasised.

“Cancer Council offers so much support and they need funds for that.

“Especially for research, and we all feel that it’s such a great cause.”

Calendar photographer and group member Suzanne Opitz said the fundraiser would capture the club’s love and friendship.

“Last time we did it, it was a big learning curve, so this time we know a lot more and find joy coming together as semi-naked women,” she said.

“Old age can still be fun and beautiful.

“I’ve been a Young at Heart member since 2010 and living in Maccy, it’s very, very hard to be lonely.

“It’s a great cause and hopefully one day there will be no more cancer.”

Ms Megson-McAllister thanked everyone involved in the fundraiser.

“It’s fantastic because it brings everybody together,” she said.

“The members of the club are such special people and they give their time, are so generous with donations, and it’s more like a family than a community club, they’re wonderful people.”

Anyone donating $100 or more to the club’s fundraiser will receive the latest calendar.

For more information visit: (www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/CathyYoungAtHeart/biggest-morning-tea-sa).