A NUDE 2024 calendar featuring a group of “breast friends” has raised more than £18,000 for the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan.
The group is made up of women based across North Wales who have previously been diagnosed with breast cancer, brought together by Sally Smart, of Blue Bug Photography.
Having had breast cancer herself, Sally sought to get in touch with others who had also received such a diagnosis.
Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of 2022, before completing her course of chemotherapy later that year.
She had aimed to raise £10,000 from the calendar, which was shot in Tremeirchion, Prestatyn, Talacre, and Colwyn Bay.
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“It’s been a little bit bonkers, really - the amount we’ve raised is phenomenal,” Sally said.
“We’re so close to £19,000, and have sold more than 1,000 calendars. We’ve sent some to Canada, America, and Australia, too! We also sent one to Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
“This is my fourth naked calendar, and it’s been the most successful.”
Before her diagnosis, Sally had also photographed two nude calendars for an environmental project in Prestatyn.
In October 2022, the group also held a charity day in Prestatyn, which raised more than £8,000 for the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre.
Having undergone her treatment for breast cancer, Sally said she is now “absolutely fine”, and is now receiving hormone therapy for a 10-year period.
She will also need reconstruction surgery in a couple of years’ time, but added: “My hair’s nearly grown back - which is the most important thing!”
Sally said: “It’s amazing how many different cancers make up breast cancer.
“I think the most important thing we’ve done is raise awareness about checking your boobs – lots of people contacted us and said they found lumps, but are now absolutely fine, which is really good.
“There are a couple of ladies involved in this who have become so much more visibly confident in themselves, both in their body and in what they can achieve, which is amazing.
“You’ve got to be quite brave to get your kit off; when you’ve got 20 people in one room, it can be a bit bonkers, but brilliant!”
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