Bus drivers and staff have stripped off for a naked calendar shoot to raise thousands of pounds for a hospice that helps terminally ill patients.
The hospice was selected as the calendar’s charity due its numerous personal ties with several of the Stagecoach drivers and employees in Mansfield, many of whom have had friends, relatives and passengers cared for there.
Inspired by the 2003 film ‘The Calendar Girls’, more than 20 drivers, engineers and office staff of all ages from the bus firm’s Mansfield branch joined forces to take part in the project, which was organised by one of the depot’s bus drivers, Claire Cunningham.
The calendar went on sale in December 2018 and has raised a total of £2,250 for the John Eastwood Hospice, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, from the sales.
Claire, 48, who been a bus driver for Stagecoach for 12 years, said: “I lost my mum to cancer when I was just 34. I didn't have that support at the time that the hospice provides others.
"I suggested doing a charity calendar because I thought it was a really fun, unique and light-hearted way to get all the team involved and encourage them to step out of their comfort zone for a great cause.
"We turned up at the bus depot at 6.30am on a Sunday all quite nervous when one woman said 'right let's get on with it if we're going to do it' and dropped her dressing gown.
"Everyone was at ease straight away then and it was a very empowering, fun thing to do, and we're really proud with how much we have raised.
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"We didn't want it to be stereotypical model shots. People of all shapes and ages took part. Cancer doesn't discriminate, so we didn't.
"It was a unanimous decision to raise money for the John Eastwood Hospice as this charity is very close to all our hearts.
"They do a wonderful job of providing palliative care for terminally ill patients and bringing a ray of sunshine to people’s darkest days."
Claire said she was also inspired to help the hospice after getting to know a volunteer at the hospice who was a passenger on her bus route, the number 53 bus which runs between Mansfield and Sheffield.
Pete Randell was also cared for at the hospice before his death in April 2018.
Claire said he is remembered fondly by many of her colleagues at the depot and his memory played a major part in them selecting the hospice to benefit from the money raised by the calendar.
"He was a lovely, caring man, who the hospice really helped," added Claire.
She has also not ruled out doing another calendar in the future to continue to raise funds for the hospice.
Diane Humphreys, hospice trust manager at the John Eastwood Hospice, said: “The Stagecoach team certainly put the fun into fundraising with the production of their great calendar.
"£2,250 is a terrific boost to our funds and we are not only grateful for that, but also sincerely thankful to everyone involved for helping us to raise the hospice’s profile.”
A few remaining copies of the charity calendar are still available on sale at the Stagecoach East Midlands Mansfield depot.
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