A taste of Hollywood for breast cancer fundraiser

Brave breast cancer patients are set to be transformed into the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly for a fundraising Hollywood-style calendar.

A group of 16 women from the Fenland and Huntingdon area are getting ready to glam up for a professional photo shoot in order to create their very own 2016 ‘Hollywood or Bust’ calendar.

The calendars will go on sale in October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month, and will raise money for the calendar girls’ Primary Breast Cancer Support Group in Huntingdon.

The photo shoots will be carried out at the group’s support meetings in August and September, when they will enjoy a professional Hollywood make-over from March-based make-up artist Hannah Spendelow.

They will also have a hairdresser and stylist on hand to complete the make-over, before having photos taken for each of the 12 months by local photographer Anna Pasquale.

Other legendary Hollywood actresses inspiring the shoot will be Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren and Vivien Leigh to name a few.

Local businesses have stepped forward to support the fundraiser by sponsoring months on the calendar, but the group is appealing for more to come forward.

They would also like to hear from firms which could help with the cost of printing the calendar.

Nurse Mel Robinson, who helps lead the monthly support group, said: “Any funds raised from the calendar will be put back into the support group for educational days and social events to help women throughout and beyond their treatment.”

The idea of the calendar came from Mrs Pasquale who wanted to support women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She attended one of the group’s meetings to discuss the idea, and the members loved it.

Mrs Spendelow said she was “thrilled” to get involved.

She said: “All of the ladies taking part have been through or are still going through their treatment but despite this they are incredibly spirited and very brave. It’s fantastic to be able to give the ladies a much-needed pamper whilst at the same time raising money for a very worthy cause.”

Anyone interested in supporting the calendar can contact Mel Robinson or Lorraine Walker on 01480 363516.