Pin-up punks make a date with cancer charity calendar

CANCER sufferers and survivors have compiled three calendars with a twist to raise cash for charity.

Members of the region's punk fraternity have shown off their alternative fashion, piercings and tattoos to support the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

The majority of the calendar's models have been directly affected by the illness.

Sarah Marsden, aged 42, of Birches Head, is one of the organisers behind the idea to produce the calendars.

The warehouse operative said: "The idea came about in February when a few of us were talking about ways to raise money for charity.

"Cancer has affected so many people and the Douglas Macmillan Hospice helps so many.

"We have managed to get most of the calendar done for free and my bosses at Co-op will print it for us."

Sarah was forced to confront cancer after her son Ben was diagnosed with a tumour when he was just four years old.

She said: "He was born a month premature and so he was in hospital a lot.

"He had a birthmark on his back and it was tested during one of his spells in hospital.

"It was successfully removed and he is now 19 years old and clear."

The three calendars are being produced featuring solo shots of male and female punks and another edition with couples.

The trio of 2013 calendars, which will be priced at about £7.50, could be on sale as early as next month.

Kyra Sheppard has posed in the couple's version alongside boyfriend Tim Shepherd, aged 38, of Penkhull, who works as gardener.

Kyra, aged 26, also of Penkhull, who is a full-time mum to her six children, was 18 when a tumour was spotted on her ovary.

She said: "I was pregnant with my first child Logan and when I had a scan they spotted it.

"I knew there was a lump but I just thought it had been made bigger because I was pregnant."

Tests revealed the tumour was border-line cancerous and following Logan's birth, surgeons removed the growth and the ovary.

She said: "I went on to have five children, including triplets, so it did not affect me.

"If they hadn't discovered it, it could have been a lot worse and I may not be here now.

"It has left me constantly worried that it may return and every time I get a stomach ache I become concerned.

"I have had a lot of friends affected by cancer and wanted to take part in the calendar to support a charity which helps sufferers and their families."

Father-of-two Jon Tams, of Bentilee, features in the male calendar, where he shows off his raft of tattoos.

The 46-year-old, who lives with wife Donna, aged 38, said: "My mum has suffered cancer of the intestine .

"She was diagnosed about 12 years ago and it returned three years ago.

"She will be 84 years old this year and we do feel fortunate.

"When she was unwell the nurses from the Douglas Macmillan went to her home in Bucknall to support her."

He added: "I'm not one to have my photograph taken as I am no super model but it is for a good cause.

"I have tattoos on my arms and legs and got my first one when I was 18. The longest sitting took eight hours."

Photographer Sean Carnall, of Birches Head, whose uncle Brian Carnall, of Eaton Park, passed away from cancer roughly four years ago, was in charge of capturing the images.

The 39-year-old, of Birches Head, who runs his own photography business and did not charge for the work, said: "I've done a lot of work with alternative models in the past.

"It is all for a great cause."