Launch party celebrates calendar's early success
Published on 7th December 2006 in News
Fundraisers behind a cheeky charity calendar which features a group of naked Rawcliffe men are celebrating after almost selling out in the first week.
The calendar, entitled 'Rawcliffe Men in the Raw', has proved such a success that organisers were forced to order a reprint to ensure some were still available for the official launch at the weekend.
Within the first few days of the calendar hitting the streets local retailers were swamped by eager shoppers and the email order line was inundated with requests for the unique publication which is helping to raise funds for the Everyman male cancer campaign.
Going global!
The calendar has even proved to be a hit on a global scale - with several being sold for more than four times their worth on hit internet auction website eBay to American bidders.
At the official launch, which took place at the Jemmy Hirst at the Rose and Crown pub on Rawcliffe's Riverside on Saturday, each of the models who bared all for the calendar were once again united to help kick off the celebration.
Speaking at the event, calendar organisers Victoria Hannah and Vicki Hookham, said: "The calendar has been a bigger success than we could have ever hoped to imagine.
"We've already had to order another 100 calendars from the printer and are expecting to have to get even more in the coming weeks as we approach Christmas.
"The support it has received has been truly amazing and we would like to thank everybody who's bought a calendar and encourage everybody else to get out and buy one now.
"Thanks to the support of a number of local companies and people, every penny from every calendar sale goes to Everyman to help them fight cancer.
"The final word must go to the men who have made this all possible. Without their guts, good humour and patience this calendar wouldn't have been possible."
Each of the men taking part, who range in age from 29 to 54-years-old, have adopted poses from their individual professions and hobbies - while naked!
The calendar, which was designed for free by Esther Fowler of Black and White Designs, culminates with a cheeky picture of the participants having a well-earned drink in their favourite local, wearing nothing more than a Santa hat.
Featured in the calendar are: landlord of the Jemmy Hirst at the Rose and Crown pub, Simon Hicks; owner of the Sharp hairdressing salon, Tony Hookham; local musician Billy Auld; golf fan Jeremy Triffit; former Goole Times journalist Ben Pindar; Mick 'The Dyker' Hayward; owner of Pets Pad, Graham Fowler; Rawcliffe Postmaster Gary Brown; owner of BLAC Electrical and motorbike fan Andy Baker; local farmer Paul Blacker; and local builder Mark Rodwell.
At the launch event, Victoria and Vicki also raised a substantial amount in a raffle for a luxury Christmas hamper while talented blind musician Sean Hayward performed an array of hits for free for the large crowd who had turned out to support the calendar.
The organisers added: "Awareness about testicular and prostate cancer is still much too low amongst men and if this calendar can help save just a few lives then it has all been worth the effort."
A host of local companies and people have also pledged support to help ensure every penny from each calendar sale can go to the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign.
The calendar, which costs just £7.50, is on sale at a range of outlets across the area including The Goole Times on Boothferry Road in Goole, Rawcliffe Post Office; The Jemmy Hirst Pub; Sharp Hairdressing on Bridge Street in York; and Pets Pad in Rawcliffe and is also available by contacting rawcliffemenintheraw@hotmail.co.uk