Grin and bare it: Businesswomen strip off for hospice

A GROUP of businesswomen have dared to bare all to create a saucy new calendar to raise money for Farleigh Hospice.

The fun-loving Business Women's Network decided to strip naked in all weathers in the spring for the hospice for the third year in a row – even shooting in a snowstorm on Clacton Pier.

Organised by Sally Parkinson, who owns a photography business in Colchester, and Clare Lauwerys from Peldon, who works in IT and web design in Chelmsford, the calendar has already made £3,000 for the charity.

The brave businesswomen live and work all over Essex with the calendar shot in some of the county's most famous locations like Clacton pier, Mersea's vineyards and even a Maldon barge.

"We've been naked on the beach in the snow, we've been on Clacton pier in the wind and rain and in a goat farm with goats. Once you get your kit off with someone outside in the snow you form a special bond," laughed Clare.

Although the BWN refute the stereotypical Essex-girl image, one of the pictures includes a white stiletto as a casual nod to their famous reputation.

"We know the stereotype for the typical Essex girl so we decided to show off the less-known parts of Essex, those not quite in the know. "But you just wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a white stiletto these days," added Clare.

Mandie Holgate, a women's business coach from Mersea Island who works in Chelmsford, has helped with the organisation for the last three years.

She said: "You would be surprised just how many women wanted to take part.

"Each venue let us use their property for free so it was a good effort from a lot of people."

The BWN took part in the calendar as part of a challenge from Farleigh Hospice to local businesses to raise as much money as they could with a £50 investment in a three-month period – the BWN didn't spend a penny of it.

"We're grateful to Simmons printers of Chelmsford for printing at a huge discount, which was covered by our sponsors. The calendar is for sale in the hospice shops soon and if any retailers in Chelmsford would like to stock it in the run-up to Christmas please get in touch," said Clare.

Visit www.thebusinesswomansnetwork.co.uk/2013/calendar