Denton Dream Boys naked calendar helps village year of fundraising for Addenbrooke’s and Papworth hospitals
A group of men have bared it all for a village calendar in support of a very worthy cause.
Paul Wilby, from Denton, launched a fundraising appeal in January to raise money for Addenbrooke’s Hospital, as well as Papworth Hospital, after his son became ill with an undiagnosed condition.
Ben, 34, suffered from severe breathlessness for about three years. After being investigated by doctors, it was found he had chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, which is caused by blood clots on his lungs.
At Papworth Hospital, he underwent a lifesaving procedure called a balloon pulmonary angioplasty, where a balloon was used to push scar tissue to one side, allowing the blood to flow properly again, which returned his breathing to normal.
Since January, Paul and the rest of the villagers started to raise thousands of pounds for the hospitals through a number of events, including an Easter bingo, a tractor run, a ‘Party on the Meadow’ event, walking football and a plough day, which saw 45 tractors from neighbouring villages attend.
The 62-year-old, semi-retired builder wanted to do something big to round-off a year of fundraising.
He said: “I was going to do a bike ride from Denton to Kent to raise some money, but I was told that, due to a bad knee, I could not do that.
“Then I had an idea about doing a calendar, asked around the village to see if other men wanted to do it and, two days later, we had 15 models raring to go.
“I told them it was topless, but when they came to the shoot, we said it was a bit more than that and they were all up for it.”
Paul enlisted the help of fellow resident Mark Richards, who spent 35 years as a photographer for the Daily Mail.
He said: “Paul planted it on me and it is for a good cause, so I was happy to help.
“I have photographed many things, doing some very serious features in my time with wars and royalty, but this was probably the most fun I have had and everyone of them was happy to take their pants down.”
Willing contributors include March’s ‘Naked Gardener’, whose dignity is protected by a pitchfork; April’s ‘Rocking Ricky’, who climbed a hay bale to pose naked with a guitar; and Paul himself, on a deckchair surrounded by animals.
The oldest villager to get involved was 82-year-old Mick Loades, who was put in stocks, with the caption: “This is what happens when you don’t get your pants off.”
Paul said there had been some interesting moments whilst taking the pictures.
“It was my job on all the photo shoots to stand guard to prevent any embarrassing moments with the public walking into a field where we were taking photos,” he said.
“But on my photo shoot, this woman walked into the field to tell us our donkeys had escaped and saw me naked.
“Luckily, she was a retired nurse so had seen it all before, but literally the only thing I was holding in my hand was a chicken, so we decided to call my photo ‘Hilary’s Hunk’ after her.”
The pictures for the long-awaited calendar were revealed during a sold-out special gala night in the village hall on November 2.
As well as this, the story of the calendar has appeared on ITV and BBC television, as well as BBC Radio Norfolk.
Paul said: “It has been crazy really with the coverage we have had for the calendar.
“We are so lucky to be in this village, where everyone wants to help you with whatever they can.
“It is like going back 50 years here. Everyone helps everyone else out. If you want or need anything, someone in the village will help. It is a proper community.
“The have got behind every event by putting their hands in their pockets or helping with preparations for events; everyone has mucked in and we thank them so much for that.”
Fundraising will finish with a Christmas bingo in December and a fundraising raffle for Addenbrooke’s at a speed dating event the same month.
Asked what is next, Paul said: “The women are talking about doing a calendar next year along the lines of what we have done, but who knows.”
To buy a calendar, go to eBay and search for ‘Denton Dream Boys’.