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A group of over 60s women have stripped off to raise money for breast cancer

Headshot of Indigo Lemay-Conway
Indigo Lemay-ConwaySound Telegraph
February's cover photo.
Camera IconFebruary's cover photo. Credit: Picture: Sandra Ramsay

Local lifestyle village residents have proved that age is just a number by getting their kit off and raising $11,000 for Breast Cancer Network Australia.

The group of over 60s women from Tuart Lakes Lifestyle Village stripped off for a 2022 calendar, which was unveiled at a launch last week.

Resident Bev Hall, 70, rallied the 20 women together over a Friday night happy hour last year, which she said was the beginning of a year-long bonding experience.

Calendar coordinator Bev Hall, centre, with fellow calendar girls Cheryl Bennett, left, and Barbara Parkes, right.
Camera IconCalendar coordinator Bev Hall, centre, with fellow calendar girls Cheryl Bennett, left, and Barbara Parkes, right. Credit: Picture: Indigo Lemay-Conway

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“We’ve all got families and friends that have been affected by breast cancer and we were talking about how we could help raise money for cancer research,” Ms Hall said.

“So I thought, I’m just going to ask a few people if they’d be interested in doing a calendar, and before I knew it, I had 20 ladies all put their hand up.

“I think the next morning a couple of them all wondered exactly what they’d offered to help with, but they stayed true to the cause and we ended up with this amazing calendar.”

The photographs were taken free of charge by local photographer Sandra Ramsay, and featured the women relaxing or undertaking everyday activities like playing lawn bowls, swimming and enjoying afternoon tea.

Fellow calendar girl Patricia McKay, 73, said she was nervous about taking her clothes off to begin with, but she quickly began to feel comfortable with the other women.

“You start off thinking that you’re too fat or too old to do this, but then I realised that we were all in the same boat, and we just had an absolute ball together,” Ms McKay said.

The photo used for the month of April.
Camera IconThe photo used for the month of April.

The group of women hoped to fundraise $10,000 throughout October, coinciding with breast cancer awareness month, but since the launch date less than a week ago, they have reached a total of $11,000.

“We hope this calendar will help bring women’s breast health into the spotlight, reminding women of all ages to check their breasts and have a breast screening,” Ms Hall said.

“With so many women in the over-50s age group affected by breast cancer, we hope that we offer a timely reminder that saves lives, and at the same time, raises important funds for research.”

To buy a calendar, visit www.nlv.com.au and place an order online.

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