A WOMAN has created a charity calendar after her friend was diagnosed with cancer.

Jan Dutton from Bournemouth wanted to do something for her friend Val Barton Lane who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer earlier this year and also in memory of her friend Rick who died from lung cancer.

She said: “I wanted to do something for Cancer Research. Most importantly to provide a positive force for Val to be involved in. Then the film Calendar Girls came on the TV and I thought - that's an idea! Val was all for it and, so I started approaching people to be part of it and was amazed at the response.”

Jan said nearly everyone she approached wanted to be a ‘calendar girl’ and described the day of the shoot as an “awesome experience” and said while everyone was nervous at first, the women’s confidence grew.

Mel Ackrill came on board as the photographer, Kirsty Bryant and Kelly Churchill provided make-up with Hair by Hannah also lending their services.

Jan called it one of the “most freeing experiences of my life and a reminder of how intrinsically good people really are.”

A launch night for the calendar was held on October 13 at the Kitchen Club in Iford with prizes donated for the event from a number of local businesses.

The launch raised £1,150 and since then £3,500 has been raised for charity with the calendar reprinted with shops also starting to sell them.

A special Christmas party is being held in the Woodpecker function room at Queens Park Golf Club on Wednesday, December 19.

Jan added: “The whole experience has been a rollercoaster ride and I am astounded and impressed by all the people involved in this project; especially Val who has been an absolute star and incredible human being.”

To make a donation, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Jan-Dutton1.