Stars bare all for charity calendar

3:04pm Tuesday 2nd September 2008

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A HOST of rugby stars, actors and television presenters have bared all for a cheeky WI-style calendar shoot in aid of charity.

The brave male models, who include England International and Bradford Bulls player Sam Burgess and Steve Leonard, vet and BBC wildlife presenter, posed with strategically-placed rugby balls, towels and even branches to produce the 2009 calendar in aid of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

The project is the brainchild of Steve Rose, a civil engineer and freelance photographer from Reeth, who read about the Millennium Trust’s campaign to plant more trees in the national park to help combat flooding and climate change.

He said: "Most visitors to the Yorkshire Dales aren’t really aware of the work the trust does, and I wanted to change that.

"Only about three per cent of the park is woodland, but as well as giving out oxygen which reduces the effects of carbon emissions trees are vital in stopping soil erosion, which leads to flooding.

"The Trust also carries out repair work to bridges and buildings, as well as maintaining dry stone walls and hedges for people to enjoy.

"The Dales are such a huge part of life for residents and tourists alike, and I wanted to do all I could to help. Photography was the only was I could think of to do my bit."

Mr Rose contacted rugby clubs around the country and gradually word about the project spread. "Some people were wary at first," he said. "But when they saw what a good cause it was they really got into it, and in the end we all had quite a laugh."

YDMT is a registered charity, formed in 1997, which aims to support the environmental, social and economic well-being of the Yorkshire Dales.

Anne Bullough, senior fundraiser at the Millennium Trust, said: "Trees and woodlands are crucial to life on our planet. They generate oxygen, store carbon and stabilise the soil. The YDMT aims, through the production of this calendar, to plant even more native broadleaved woodlands which will support the needs of society in both urban and rural areas and provide a legacy for future generations.

"We are really grateful to Steve and everyone else who took part."

The calendar, designed by Absolute B, costs £9.99 and is available from YDMT at www.ydmt.org or by calling 015242 51004.