Harrogate district amateur dramatic group stripped down and raised £12,000

A Harrogate district amateur dramatic group who bared all in a production of Calendar Girls raised £12,000 for three cancer charities.

The Kirkby Overblow Dramatic Society performed its own version of the Tim Firth film late last year.

All proceeds from the play have been donated to the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at Harrogate District Hospital, Maggie’s Yorkshire and Blood Cancer UK – each of which received £4,000.

The sell-out show was “the most successful charitable performance we have produced”, according to the chairman.

The 1999 film is based on a true story of how Rylstone and District Women’s Institute, near Skipton, posed for a nude calendar to raise money for leukaemia cancer.

The cast also took part in their very own nude photoshoot – posing strategically at local landmarks in the village.

Photo: Annette Fishburn Photography

Claire Mackenzie, director of the production, said:

“When I was asked to choose a play which we could put on, I was thinking more about what we could take off, this way it would be an attention grabber…and it worked, thanks to the commitment and bravado of all the cast and crew”.

Cast and crew of Calendar Girls handing over the cheque donations to three cancer charities.

Regional fundraising members for the charities were on hand to accept the money raised by the dramatic society.

Fiona Gavaghan, of Macmillan Cancer Support, said:

“Huge thanks and congratulations go to the KODS team for raising this astounding amount.

“What they have done will change the lives of hundreds of cancer sufferers and their families throughout Yorkshire”.

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