Forget jumble sales, sponsored walks and charity cards. For serious fund-raisers there's only one way to raise cash and that's to raise a few eyebrows and drop the togs. It's a craze that kicked off a few years ago when a group of frisky, middle-aged WI ladies, turned the traditional notion of the WI on its head by posing in the buff for a 1999 calendar. Since than the nude calendar has, well literally, taken off. In fact an extraordinary number of ordinary people are doing it, shedding their clothes that is, and baring all (well almost) for charity.
Last year Wiltshire's ladies were as keen as anywhere to kick off their kecks for charity. This year, however, it's the turn of the men folk of Wiltshire to shed their inhibitions along with their shirts. So here's a round-up of all the cheeky calendars of Wiltshire's men folk who have dared to bare this year for a good cause… 1. Nationwide MAAD About The Boy Calendar
 | | Nationwide Swindon Calendar Boys |
The Nationwide MAAD About The Boy Calendar 2006 features 11 buff, almost in the buff, boys from Nationwide's Direct Savings who bared (nearly) all in aid of the Everyman Charity. Snapped on a bitterly cold Sunday on the Nationwide's Nature Trail it is, according to Laura Kerry, 11 good reasons to support the Everyman Charity: "When we first approached our Direct Savings boys and asked them whether they fancied taking their tops off, we were sent away with disgruntled frowns. But when they found out that it was in aid of the Everyman charity we were inundated and there were suddenly torsos everywhere." Definitely one for the ladies… the calendars are available for a minimum donation of £5.00 by calling Tara Page at Nationwide on 01793 652 147. 2. Uan: Toothill’s Favourite Son Calendar
 | | 'Uan: Toothill's Favourite Son' Calendar |
Meanwhile, the official 2006 Uan Harrison calendar is offering up a bumper collection of "13 full colour images of Toothill's most beautiful resident." Along with facts, quotes, and song recommendations is Uan, 24, pictured in various poses around Swindon dressed simply in a leopard print thong. A thong which sadly, according to friend and photographer Beb Biddiscombe, he had owned a while before the idea of a calendar was even raised. The initial rush for the calendar has meant that all 20 copies produced have sold out. But Uan and Ben are confident that, with local sponsorship, Uan's 2006 calendar will be in every home in Swindon… with ALL proceeds heading off to local causes. So watch this space… or better still (actually much better still) click on Ben's link in the right hand column for more info. 3. Marlborough Calendar Boys 2006
 | | Marlborough Calendar Boys |
Take eight pairs of fluorescent, furry, hand-knitted pants and suggest to a town of willing, very willing, professional men folk (like Marlborough) that they "drop their trousers". Kerry Blower, a local singer-songwriter, did with amazing results. In fact everyone from the local Optician, Bank Manager, Solicitor, Greengrocer and Traffic Warden to the Antique Dealer, Teacher, Policeman and Undertaker were more than up for pulling their trousers down: "So many wanted to wear the pants," says Kerry "that we had to put two per page on to the calendar months." But with a percentage of the proceeds going to the Prospect Hospice Foundation the pants idea is proving far from pants. To order a calendar send a cheque for £11.00, payable to K. Blower, to 2 Manor Cottage, East Kennett, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 4EY. 4. Men Who Do… Calendar.
 | | Men Who Do... Calendar |
The Men Who Do… calendar is in memory of Marcella, who died of bowel cancer at the age of just 44. All the men who feature in the calendar "knew and loved Marcella and wanted to have some fun, raise some money and create awareness of the disease which took her life." The proceeds of the sexy black and white tribute calendar are going to the Salisbury Hospice Trust and to Cancer Research. To order a calendar click on the Salisbury Hospice Trust link in the right hand column and fill in the on-line form. | 
