Town's naked calendar raises thousands for charity

One of the creators of a naked calendar has been left "overwhelmed" after it raised thousands for a cancer charity.

Lee Dawson was one of about 20 men from Leek, Staffordshire, to get their kit off for Leek Calendar Boys 2025, created to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Each page also had #saveleekhospital featured, encouraging people to protect the town's minor injuries unit, which some residents feared was under threat.

The calendar was available in pubs and shops for £10, with all profits going to charity, and since its launch, it has raised £7,520.

Mr Dawson, who was Mr October in the calendar, told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'm overwhelmed. It's brilliant and I'm sure all the other guys feel proud too for that."

He previously said he lost both his parents to cancer and had recently recovered from the disease himself.

'It means so much'

Most of the models featured in the calendar have had or been directly affected by cancer and wanted to give something back.

The idea was first suggested while some of the men were chatting over a few drinks at The Blue Megge pub.

"It means so much, especially to me because I've had cancer and most of the other lads, who have had experience with cancer," Mr Dawson added.

Seren Evans, from Prostate Cancer UK, said the amount raised by the calendar was "absolutely tremendous".

"It will go towards helping us to save men's lives in the future," she added.