Shortlist

Caravan girls smash target to create £7,500 charity windfall

In the pink: Tree Tops' caravan girls celebrate after a tot-up saw their fundraising calendar target toppled
In the pink: Tree Tops’ caravan girls celebrate after a tot-up saw their fundraising calendar target toppled

A group of friends on a Wales holiday park who bared all for charity have bust their fundraising target – and breasted the tape with almost £7,500 in the kitty.

The pals found themselves in the spotlight last autumn when they posed for a cheeky charity calendar at Tree Tops Caravan Park in Flintshire.

Their aim was to raise £2,000 for Breast Cancer Care by selling the £6.50 calendars to friends and relatives, but they hadn’t reckoned on how popular their poses would become.

When pictures of the feisty females appeared in the press and across social media, the orders started to come in thick and fast.

Lighting up firework month of November is Carol Jones (56) from Manchester who is grandmother to six
Lighting up firework month of November is Carol Jones (56) from Manchester who is grandmother to six

Breast Cancer Care fund-raising

A re-print of the calendars was organised to cope with demand, and when the total amount raised was totted up this month, it came to a staggering £7,415.03.

Now a cheque for the sum has been handed to Breast Cancer Care to help with its vital work in providing expert information to anyone diagnosed with the illness.

Those taking part in the project ranged in age from 30-plus to over 70 years old, and all are members of families which own caravan holiday homes at Tree Tops.

Inspiration for creating the calendar came from two of the group, Rachel Anchors and Wendy Wild who both felt strongly about raising awareness of Breast Cancer Care.

Helping to warm up February is mum-of-three and grandmother-of-five Marie Horgan (61) from Stockport
Helping to warm up February is mum-of-three and grandmother-of-five Marie Horgan (61) from Stockport

They quickly found many more like-minded women among their friends on the park, and soon there were enough volunteers to ensure an entire year’s worth of discreet but saucy snaps.

Despite the professional quality of the photographs illustrating each month, the images were the work of talented amateur Andy Walker who is a director of Tree Tops.

Andy, who runs the park alongside his parents Maureen and Harry, waived any fees for the shoot to ensure that the charity received the maximum possible donation.

“The women are all great characters who were tremendous fun to work with, and I take my hat off to them – which is a lot less than they did for this very worthy cause!” said Andy.

Sarah Mansfield (31) from Glossop, Derbyshire, is October's bright and breezy caravan calendar girl
Sarah Mansfield (31) from Glossop, Derbyshire, is October’s bright and breezy caravan calendar girl

“We have a wonderful community spirit at Tree Tops, and Breast Cancer Care have passed on their grateful thanks for supporting their valuable work in this way,” he added.

Five-star Tree Tops near Hollywell has gained a raft of regional and national awards for its quality facilities and environmental care. More information is available at www.treetopscaravanpark.co.uk

 

<< Pet-loving Dorset holiday park’s new top team bound into action Awards spotlight for Norfolk holiday park declared Britain’s best >>