The December entry (Photo: Kirsty Blackwell Photography)
By Cristina Olaru
Members of the Equestrian Society at De Montfort University have undressed for an annual charity calendar.
The Naked Charity Calendar, which has been in the running for five years, raises money to support the Riding for the Disabled Association.
The charity, which has Princess Anne as its President, helps people with disabilities from all over the UK. DMU students join the local branch each week to give a hand with the horse and pony therapies.
Henry Johnson (Picture: Cristina Olaru)
Calendar organiser, media student Henry Johnson, said: “Our society members go down there and help out with the horses and help out with the disabled people riding the horses. I think is great, sport is very therapeutic for anybody with disabilities, especially horse riding because the horse is an animal who gives back unconditional love.”
Despite the controversial approach of the calendar – a bit raunchy, he said – Henry proudly pointed out that they were thrilled with the sales so far.
The equestrian team created the calendar with the initial thought that it would be eye-catching and in this way, they would raise money more easily and also, because it genuinely fits with their society.
He said: “If we just did a normal calendar with few horses, then will be nothing special about it. We’ve done it black and white, with black underwear, we made it classy, so is not done in a distasteful manner, but is still the naked aspect which is a reason for people to buy it.”
The courage of the students attracted the attention of the Leicester Mercury, which published the Equestrian team’s decision to strip every year for the RDA.
Henry urged other students to consider charity work, saying that the best way to do it is by picking a charity that is close to you, that you can relate to, because it will make you work harder and motivate you more.
The January entry (Photo: Kirsty Blackwell Photography)
For more information about how to buy a calendar, contact the society via its Twitter account @DMUEquestrian or e-mail dmu.equestrianteam@gmail.com
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