Sports groups bare all for cancer charity calendar

Members of cycling clubs across the Vale of Belvoir are among groups who feature in the calendar

Community sports groups have posed for a charity calendar that captures the beauty of an area but with a "playful twist".

Cricketers, netballers and cyclists across the Vale of Belvoir in the East Midlands feature in the Calendar Girls-style "Belvoir Un-Valed”.

Organiser Michelle Oldfield, from Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire, said she wanted to raise awareness after being treated for breast cancer - and rallied her community to take part in a photoshoot for the cheeky 2025 calendar.

The months feature more than 30 people and capture the "stunning beauty of the Vale of Belvoir with a playful twist", she says.

The calendar has so far raised £2,000 for Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK.

The calendar project has been organised by Michelle Oldfield following her own experiences with cancer

From sports and social clubs to walkers and wine tasters – people from all walks of life were invited to be part of the project.

Mrs Oldfield, 45, who works as a teacher, said: "I was only diagnosed because I was going to meet my friend for a coffee. He told me that his wife had terminal cancer.

"I knew I wouldn't be able to look him in the eye again if I didn't then go and get checked over.

"That coffee I ended up having with my friend saved my life."

The photography for the calendar started being captured in December last year at sites across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

Dan Smith from the Vale of Belvoir Cycling Club posed for the calendar

"The whole aim of the project is to try to nudge people to get checked and for them to understand that we aren't invincible," said Mrs Oldfield.

"These things do happen in our lives, not just to other people."

The calendar was compiled by local designer Jackie Swann, who donated her time, and prints were funded following support from local cafes, pubs and businesses.

An initial run of 200 prints sold out after the calendars were sold online and advertised on Facebook.

Mrs Oldfield said there was a plan for a rerun in the immediate future.

She added: "The reaction has been really funny, and we've been overwhelmed by the support.

"We did have a launch party, but for clarity – the event was fully clothed!"