STAFF at a north Durham supermarket will be putting on their best poses to help a girl who suffers from a severe form of epilepsy.

Faye Winston, 34, who works at Tesco in Consett, is organising a Calendar Girl- type photoshoot in aid of five-year-old Elika Gray.

Money raised will help pay for safety equipment for the little girl from Delves Lane.

Miss Winston said: “Elika’s mother Clair Gray is our store’s Community Champion and does a lot to help other causes. She recently climbed Kilimanjaro to raise money for Bright Red.

“Elika has been diagnosed with the worst form of epilepsy. She suffers from prolonged tonic clonic seizures.

“I was appalled to learn that the safety equipment she needs is not provided via the NHS – such as a bed alarm, head guards and safety pillows.

“There are some charities that offer help, but without awareness their funding too will be limited.

“The alarm will warn her parents if there is an attack coming so they can take action.

“We lost a member of staff to epilepsy last year, so it is quite close to home.”

Miss Gray, who is a part-time model, has got a photographer and make-up artists to help with the photo-shoot to produce a calendar.

She said: “It will be a tongue-in-cheek calendar inspired by Calendar Girls with men and woman involved – we will be clothed though.

“We’ll be hiding behind objects, so it may look sometimes like people are nude.”

A group of drag queens in Newcastle are offering to do a calendar as well and Miss Gray has been offered the support of Mr Gay World, Stuart Hatton.

Any proceeds after Elika has her bed alarm will all be donated to Epilepsy Awareness.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/elikacalendar.