Pub calendar girls raise more than £6000 for EllenorLions Hospices

A Kent pub has been getting into the Christmas spirit by raising more than £6000 for local charity, EllenorLions Hospices. The pub has been running fundraising activities throughout the year - including the production of a nude calendar featuring members of staff.

Glynis Kean, licensee at the Millers Cottage, Gravesend, Kent said: "When I approached the staff about doing a 'Calendar Girls' style 2010 calendar I got a mixed reaction of 'Oh yes that will be great!' to 'Oh no I don't think I could do that!' The less enthusiastic got over their fears once I assured them it would be tastefully done & their pride would be in tact.

"Getting the calendar designed and printed at minimal cost was proving to be a real nightmare until, purely by chance, a new customer walked into the Millers Cottage one evening heard of my plight and very kindly offered to help and turned my nightmare into a dream!"

The photos were taken free of charge in and around the pub by Julie Stokes, who runs Jo Jo's photography studio Gravesend. Each month was sponsored by 12 generous regulars, raising over £1200.

In other fundraising undertaken by the Millers Cottage, Glynis also organizes an annual summer charity fun weekend. Including the charity weekend, a swear box, the charity boxes on the bar and sales for this calendar to date, over £6500 has been raised and more is expected from continued sales of the calendar.

Local MP Adam Holloway, who has also raised money for the hospice, has seen the calendar and ordered one for his home and one for his office in parliament.

Glynis would like to say a big thank you to everyone, especially her staff for bravely bareing all (well almost) and making it possible.

For more information about the pub and calendar, visit: www.themillerscottage.co.uk