Our annual guide to the weird world of posing nude for charity.
Once again, we’ve been searching out the naked charity calendars for 2023 – a tradition that shows no sign of dying even as our world becomes ever more prudish about nudity and fearful of ‘exploitation’. While some of the student calendars that had once been the mainstay of the scene have faded away, others have replaced them and for most, the whole idea still seems to be a bit of harmless fun – especially as very little actual nudity is generally involved (or at least displayed).
As ever, these are a mixed bag artistically – some professionally produced and teasingly sexy, others endearingly home-made and jolly. Charities – with, once again, cancer charities outstripping everyone else in terms of being the beneficiaries of these endeavours – still seem grateful for the fundraising and are yet to take a sniffy moralising attitude to the whole thing.
Indeed, these calendars are stirling examples of body positivity and inclusivity, with all shapes and sizes, ages and genders allowed and encouraged. There is, you might say, something for everyone.
As ever, we have probably missed a few – if you know of any that we’ve missed, or indeed have taken part in any that we’ve missed, be sure to let us know. And note that the availability of particular calendars might be limited in number and international delivery – and UK postage strikes in particular might affect delivery in time for the start of the year.
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Australian Firefighters
Now in its 30th year, the Australian Firefighters calendar – which comes in a remarkable six variations featuring different cuddly animals posing alongside the shirtless men – is raising money for the Kids With Cancer Foundation, Native Animal Rescue, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and more. A more professional affair than most but you can’t argue with its success.
https://www.australianfirefighterscalendar.com/
The Calendar Wenches
A collection of breast cancer survivors and friends raising money for Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer & Breast Cancer Now charities. https://thecalendarwenches.square.site/product/the-calendar-wenches-calendar-2023/2?cs=true&cst=custom
The Carus Green Lady Golfers
Female members of the Carus Green Golf Club have stripped off to raise money for MND. You can buy via the Facebook page.
The Decibelles
Kettering choir The Decibelles show that being churchgoers is no barrier to (modest) nudity in their calendar, raising money for both the choir itself and Brest Friends Northamptonshire, which is – as you might guess – a cancer charity. www.thedecibelles.co.uk
Foxy Calendars
The horsey ladies of Wiltshire once again strip off for not one but two calendars – a black and white version that you can pass off as art and a regular colour edition.
https://www.foxycalendars.com/
Knit Happens
The staff of Bodmin knitting supplies shop Knit Happens have stripped for a Knit, Natter and Nude Calendar, raising money for the Cornwall Air Ambulance and the RCHT charity Mermaid Centre.
https://knit-happens.co.uk/product/knit-natter-and-nude-charity-calendar/
The Naked Huntress
Now in its ninth year, the calendar featuring naked female members of the hunting, shooting and fishing fraternity is remarkably popular with country folk. Details on the Instagram page:
Naked Reindeer Herders
Showing that no profession is too niche for a naked charity calendar, the reindeer herders of Cairngorm have stripped off to raise money for the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue and the upkeep of the reindeer herd.
https://www.cairngormreindeer.co.uk/shop/Naked-Herders-Charity-Calendar-2023-p455962510/
Naked Rugby Players
Another calendar that has become something of an annual tradition, the Naked Rugby Calendar features teams from across the UK stripping off to raise money for Balls to Cancer. https://www.thenakedrugbyplayers.com/product/the-naked-rugby-players-calendar-2023-official-pre-order/
The Naked Runner Calendar
The organisation Running at 40+ has its own calendar of naked female runners, with money raised going to the women’s charity Refuge. https://runningat40plus.com/shop/ols/products/the-naked-runner-female-calendar-2023
The Perennial Naked Gardeners
Not gardeners who are perennially naked, presumably – this horticultural charity’s calendar features nude men and promises to liven up “kitchens, potting sheds and office canteens” – though the latter might see complaints from the empowered prudes. https://shop.perennial.org.uk/products/the-perennial-naked-gardeners-calendar-2023
The Poringland Ladies calendar for Cancer Research
A fairly self-explanatory calendar, this one. Availability, unfortunately, seems to be only via directly contacting organiser Lisa Richards by phone, which we’re not going to encourage by publicly sharing a number.
The Sydney Uni Vet Flash for Floods Calendar
There’s no one keener to strip for a calendar shoot than an Australian vet, it seems. The Sydney Uni Vet calendar is raising funds for the Australian Red Cross. https://nudecalendar.wixsite.com/flashforfloods/shop
UK Calendar Girls
Well, who is to say that professional (or wannabe professional) glamour models can’t raise money for charity with a calendar? In this case, the recipients are Mental Health Awareness and the Chestnut Appeal for Men’s Health. https://ukcalendargirls.co.uk/supporting-charities/
VAMPS of St Neots
Tying in with their production of Calendar Girls – the story of where this whole thing began – St Neots Am Dram group VAMPS is producing a calendar tie-in featuring local businesses to raise money for the Hunts Community Cancer Network.
https://thevamps.org/shop/
Vets Uncovered
The ever-popular Australian vets return with another calendar – along with a set of playing cards and other merch, raising money for the Royal Flying Doctors Service. https://www.vetsuncovered.com/collections/frontpage
Women of Waynesville
The annual community calendar is taking a Heroes vs Villains: Cute & Cheeky theme for its 2023 edition. https://www.womenofwaynesville.org/naked-calendar
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