The history of the Calendar Girls
| All the work of the Calendar Girls is dedicated to the memory of John Richard Baker, Assistant National Park Officer for the Yorkshire Dales, who died from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in July 1998 aged 54. |  |  |
John’s wife, Angela (Miss February) and friends were members of the local WI. At one meeting Angela’s friend Tricia Stewart (Miss October) suggested that they do an alternative WI calendar, in the nude. The idea provided much mirth and entertainment for John throughout his difficult treatment. After his death, the women were determined to continue.
John grew sunflowers from the onset of his illness and gave them to friends and family in the hope that he would have recovered by the time they flowered. Sadly, this was not the case, but the sunflower lives on as a reminder of John’s life and has become a symbol for the girls fundraising.
The girls initially aimed to generate funds to buy a new sofa for the hospital where John was being treated. To date, they have raised more than £1.5 million for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, have been the subject of a smash hit Hollywood film starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, and filled more column inches than they can count. Their story is re-enacted in a hit stage show currently touring the UK.
In 2005 they were thanked personally by the Prince of Wales for their amazing achievements at a reception at Clarence House.
Their fabulous fundraising work continues with personal appearances, endorsements, speaking engagements, photo shoots and much more.
