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THE naked truth is that it's been one of Keswick's biggest success stories of 2010. When a group of local ladies, aged between 30 and 70, decided to bare all to make a calendar for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, little did they realise how big a hit it was destined to become.
The ladies got award winning Keswick photographer Steve Yates to shoot the pictures, using some of the Lake District's loveliest scenery as a backcloth, and they revealed all when the calendar was launched in September.
Since then the calendars have gone like hot cakes and a re-print has been ordered. They are the perfect Christmas present-but be quick because they are selling out fast.
At the official launch Carrie Burbush, Catherine Howe and Jenny Calvert revealed their own personal and highly emotional stories about why they bared all in front of a camera. Since then the calendar has been featured on the radio and in a national magazine.
Carrie's mum Sue Hope dreamed up the idea and also appears in the 2011 charity calendar, appropriately named called Moving Mountains.
Carrie was diagnosed five years ago when she was just 26. She was working as an office manager, but has since had to give up work as she is in constant pain.
She said:"I was shocked when they told me but I was determined this wasn't going to beat me. Each case of MS is unique to that person and each day is different. I have to listen to my body, and when I am tired I stop. Most days are frustrating and hard, but life is still good."
Carrie remembers being terrified when she was doing her shot for the calendar but admits it was "very liberating". She said: "My photograph was taken in January and I was in danger of getting frostbite, but the photographer was wonderful and put me at ease."
Steve took the classy black and white images in remote locations include Honister Pass, Rannerdale Knotts and Rydal Wood as well as a group shot for December at Coledale Beck. The fund-raising project is being supported by Keswick Lions, who have paid for the calendar to be printed, and has the backing of the MS Society. Copies, widely available in Keswick, costing £10.
