A GROUP of Masham women – and one man – who posed for a calendar handed over the proceeds of their year’s efforts to three charities.

When Alyson Buck of Masham was diagnosed with cancer for a second time, a group of her friends hit on the idea to create a calendar and give the money raised to charity. However, taking part would entail shedding a few clothes, tastefully done and all in a good cause.

Mrs Buck explained: “The calendar was the idea of Sharon from the Bay Horse and between us we asked some our friends if they would take part.

Although one or two were a bit reluctant at first, most of them didn’t need too much persuading to take their clothes off.

“It was a bit of fun, although it was a freezing day when we did the photographs. I am very grateful to all my friends and the businesses who have supported us.”

Sales of the calendar have so far raised £4,500. Local photographer Jon Jessop, who gave his time for free, took all the pictures at the Bay Horse pub in Masham.

The models are all friends and relatives of Mrs Buck and live or work in Masham; she even persuaded her sister-in-law to take part.

One friend who took part in the photoshoot, Sarah Thomas, has known Mrs Buck for 25 years and raised £740 selling calendars in her hairdressers in Bristol. She said: “I was really pleased to help out, although I wouldn’t have taken my clothes off for anyone else.”

Representatives from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the Masham and District branch of Yorkshire Cancer Research and Breast Cancer Care came to the Community Centre in Masham.

Each organisation was given a cheque for £1,500.

Rebecca Foster, of Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Thank you to Aly and all her supporters who have helped raise this fantastic amount for YCR.

Every penny raised is spent on research and equipment and projects in Yorkshire.”