When a group of Women's Institute members from Yorkshire decided to pose for a nude calendar to raise money for charity in 1999, they probably had no idea that their quirky little scheme would inspire others to do similar for good causes all over the country. 

Fifteen years on, however, many calendars have been sold nationwide in a range of different styles and starring people from all walks of life with one thing in common – they have raised a considerable amount for a whole host of charities.

And now the trend has come to military charities, after a woman from Ingleby Barwick, whose 18-year-old son is in the army, decided she wanted to create a military mums calendar that would raise funds. 

Karen Roper had the idea that the mothers could pose in various states of undress for the calendar, and she sent out requests for willing participants on social media. Within the space of just three days, she had enough photos from fellow military mothers to create the calendar and a printer to make her dream a reality. 

“The idea literally came to me out of the blue," she said. 

“I am in a Facebook group called Military Mums UK which is a support group for mums with children in the services. 

“I contacted the admin woman about doing a calendar for charity and she thought it was a great idea so I put it up on our page and had loads of takers straight away."

Ms Roper said she also had to check with her son Alex before sending the photos to the printer to make sure he was alright with the idea, but he gave her his full backing, even if he did think the photo was a little revealing. 

The hard work of those involved will see the calendar on sale before Christmas, and all of the money raised will go to two charities, Soldiers off the Streets, which helps homeless ex-servicemen, and Talking2Minds, which helps veterans dealing with PTSD.ADNFCR-2867-ID-801766645-ADNFCR

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