A GROUP of women from Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen braved the elements by baring all at Big Pit National Coal Museum in support of the new Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Breast Care Unit, scheduled to open in 2020.

While the new facility will be funded by Aneurin Bevan Health Board, the calendar will be sold as part of a fundraising drive to buy additional items that the NHS are unable to provide.

Organiser Emma Wilkins said: “The aim is to raise £200,000 towards the unit’s enhanced facilities for thousands of women, men and their families.”

Photographer Kenny Barnett, from Ross Photoz Photography, came up with the idea to make a calendar to support the new unit.

He said: “Three of my sisters-in-law have had breast cancer so it is something I have always wanted to do.

“To do it at Big Pit was amazing. It took fourteen months to get it up and running but was well worth it.

“I was also surprised how many women wanted to take part. We actually had to turn some away because we already had enough.”

Pontypool councillor Gaynor James took part in the shoot.

She said: “I didn’t want to do it when I was first asked but then I decided to do it because it’s such a good cause.

“It was really great fun, we all had a really great time.”

The calendars are on sale now for £6. Anyone interested in helping with fundraising or promotion can get involved by going to www.justgiving.com type in Aneurin Bevan and follow instructions, highlighting fund F303 so the money gets allocated to the correct fund.