UCLan Dance Club has released a naked calendar in an attempt to raise £1000 for breast cancer.

Following Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the group of dancers decided to offer an alternative way of fundraising, differing from your usual cake sales and bucket collections.

Despite apprehensions about taking their clothes off, the club decided to produce the calendar which is in the same vein as the one produced by the Women’s Institute.

“Everyone was very body conscious – but we were all in it together,” said Charlie Willcock, UCLan Dance Club’s fundraiser.

The calendar consists of a group of girls for each month, all themed according to their month; including a Christmas special, Valentine’s Day and St George’s Day.

Dance Club Chairman, Emily Robinson said: “We wanted to do something a bit different this year.”

The calendar was photographed in Macs Bar, Friargate, where all the girls were given champagne and made to feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Miss Robinson, a third year Marketing Management and Fashion student later added: “We all really enjoyed doing it – it was a great way to break the ice between us all as there are a lot of new members this year.”

“We wanted to break the skinny equals beautiful stereotype. It was so nice to see all the different body shapes and colours all in one calendar.”

“It’s not a pornographic calendar. They are all photographed in the best taste. We are all different at the end of the day.”

The calendars are now available to purchase via erobinson4@uclan.ac.uk.

Two women claiming to be from a charity for the deaf have been attempting to scam people around campus.

Several students have been approached upon campus by two eastern European women claiming to be from Deafway and asking for donations to help build an International Hearing Centre.

Described as being about 5 feet tall, carrying clipboards whilst pretending to be deaf and mute.

Jon Russ, Bar and Catering Operations Manager for UCLan’s Students’ Union said: “They do not have any identification or a speaking person with them. I have spoken to Deafway and they do not have any charity workers currently working on Campus so this is definitely a scam.”

Deafway is a registered Lancashire based British charity working to achieve equality of access and opportunity for deaf people in every aspect of life. They provide services such as youth and residential, premises for deaf clubs and BSL (British Sign Language) training.

David Hind, chief executive of Deafway said: “I’m very concerned that these two women are trying to get money under false pretences. Every penny people give them is money that cannot be used to fund our vital project here in Lancashire and in Nepal and Uganda.

“If anyone sees these two women in the future, I would ask them to telephone us at Deafway, 01772 796 461, so that we can come out, challenge them and get the police involved.”

Mr Hind later added: “Anyone who we authorize to collect for Deafway will be carrying a Deafway ID card, so if you have any concerns please ask to see this before you give any money.

“Also, if you want to know more about how Deafway work, we’re also launching a new website on Monday 21 November. This is www.deafway.org.uk so please have a look.”

If anyone witnesses this scam taking place, UCLan campus security can be contacted on 01772 892068.

UCLan will play host to a charity firewalk next year to raise funds for two local charities.

The Harris Bursary Fund and the Galloway’s Society for the Blind will both benefit from the event which takes place on the UCLan campus in January.

Galloway’s provides support for more than 6,500 local blind people whilst the Harris Bursary Fund supports students from poor backgrounds; by supplying books, computer equipment and food vouchers to aid their education.

It is hoped 200 people will come together and brave the fire to raise a massive £20,000 which will be split between the two charities.

A firewalk isn’t a traditional money raising method but organisers believe the extreme challenge will attract the more daring participants.

The University’s event organiser, Tania Callagher said:

“Putting mind over matter and conquering fear is central to the whole experience of this extreme fundraising event. The exhilaration felt on the brink of the firewalk is indescribable. The combination of intense heat on your face, together with your survival instincts telling you to stay put makes the whole experience a real challenge.”

While the primary aim of the event is to raise money for charity, the money-raisers will also benefit personally by increasing their confidence.

“Many of those who take part claim that the firewalk experience has enabled them to overcome other everyday fears. For some it can be a dramatic, life-changing experience.” she added.

The firewalk takes place on Sunday 30 January 2011 at the Foster Sports centre. If you are interested in participating, contact Tania Callagher on 01772 892385 or e-mail her at tcallagher@uclan.ac.uk. For further information visit www.uclan.ac.uk/firewalk.

By Tom Murphy

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