Jan Dutton from Bournemouth wanted to do something for her friend Val Barton Lane who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer earlier this year and also in memory of her friend Rick who died from lung cancer.
She said: “I wanted to do something for Cancer Research. Most importantly to provide a positive force for Val to be involved in. Then the film Calendar Girls came on the TV and I thought – that’s an idea! Val was all for it and, so I started approaching people to be part of it and was amazed at the response.”
Jan said nearly everyone she approached wanted to be a ‘calendar girl’ and described the day of the shoot as an “awesome experience” and said while everyone was nervous at first, the women’s confidence grew.
Mel Ackrill came on board as the photographer, Kirsty Bryant and Kelly Churchill provided make-up with Hair by Hannah also lending their services.
Jan called it one of the “most freeing experiences of my life and a reminder of how intrinsically good people really are.”
Ace Office Environments and Excel Print very kindly sorted the initial printing for Jan.
A launch night for the calendar was held on 13th October 2018, at the Kitchen Club in Iford with prizes donated for the event from a number of local businesses. This raised £1,150 and since then over £5,000.00 has been raised!
Jan added: “The whole experience has been a rollercoaster ride and I am astounded and impressed by all the people involved in this project; especially Val who has been an absolute star and incredible human being.”
To make a donation, visit
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jan-Dutton1
Or contact jan.dutton@aceoffice.co.uk