Original Calendar Girl praises Follifoot WI for unusual way of supporting Yorkshire Air Ambulance
A Harrogate village’s WI has launched its Ladies in Leather charity calendar with the blessing of an original Calendar Girl.
Members of Follifoot WI caused quite a stir during two fun-filled photoshoots in the village near Harrogate dressed in borrowed motorbike leathers, sitting astride classic motorbikes.
Despite its light-hearted nature the calendar had a serious inspiration and purpose.
Follifoot WI’s Linda Oldridge, who came up with the idea over supper with fellow members, had seen her own brother’s life saved by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) following a near fatal motorbike accident three years ago.
"It’s been tremendous fun,” said Linda, whose biker husband and his motorcycling friends collaborated in the project.
"Each month of the calendar the pictures show off some of the beautiful parts of our village.
“We’ve seen enthusiasm and interest from residents of all ages and are well on the way to making a significant donation to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”
The Ladies in Leather calendar project is an unusual one even these days for the Women's Institute, which was established than a century ago, and Follifoot WI, which obtained charity status in 1993.
Playing a crucial role was Ian Marshall of Scarlet Ribbon Photography, who offered his services free of charge.
There was also generous support from local businesses and villagers to cover the production costs of the calendar while Tig, the printers, got fully behind it in pre-production image and design meetings.
The results, fully clothed it’s important to mention, have even been praised by Angela Baker, one of the original WI Calendar Girls, who heard what Follifoot WI were doing and rang to wish them well.
The official launch of Follifoot WI's Ladies in Leather charity calendar saw a visit by Clare Deacon, Regional Fundraiser at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, who said “We were delighted to hear Follifoot WI wished to support the charity in such a novel way.
"Every 2027 calendar sold will help keep the helicopters airborne and will help save lives.”