This Calendar, so beautifully produced, is a wonderful way for us to show our gratitude to all soldiers in Afghanistan and many other places. They deserve our support and the The Soldiers' Charity does just that when they or their loved ones fall on hard times. Thank you to everyone that buys a copy of the calendar, your donation will make a real difference to a soldier or his ‘sweetheart’.


MAJOR GENERAL SIR EVELYN WEBB-CARTER, CONTROLLER, ARMY BENEVOLENT FUND


Having been responsible for sending so many journalists to Iraq and Afghanistan for GQ, I have become accustomed to reading their harrowing tales, their descriptions of the bravery of the allied forces and the horrendous things they have been forced to witness. Hopefully this new army of forces sweethearts will be a temporary antidote.

DYLAN JONES, EDITOR OF GQ MAGAZINE




With so many troubles throughout the world, it is these servicemen and women that provide the freedoms and safety that are so often taken for granted back at home. As such, we owe them our support and I'm honoured to give mine. In buying this calendar, you are giving yours too.

JOSH LEWSEY MBE, ENGLAND AND LONDON WASPS

WE DID IT!!

We have reached the end of the creative process and took delivery of the calendars earlier this week. They look incredible, the hard work has definitely paid off!! The calendar is ready to buy and you can get your copy from the shop section at http://www.armybenfund.org/
Chrissie launched the initial sales at the Army Benevolent Fund Annual Dinner at Chatsworth House last week and sold one to the Duke of Devonshire himself! The calendar was well received and looks set to be very popular. We want to thank everyone who has been involved in any way, from sponsoring it to providing props and costumes, to giving it coverage in magazines and newspapers - it has all enabled us to make this project a success. If your shop or business is interested in stocking these calendars for us, please contact Chrissie on 07804 942 578. Please watch this space for news and photographs, details of other stockists and details of press coverage.

Almost there...

After almost three gruelling months, the hard work is nearly over! All the shoots are completed, the last few images are being pampered in the editing suite and we're finalising the layout of the much anticipated calendar! We are thrilled with the results - we know you're all dying for a peek so here's a glimpse of our our promotional poster!
Thanks once again to all of our models who have done us proud. 'Wow' is all we can say!

'Girls, look out for our sexy message of support in the calendar, by gorgeous Josh Lewsey of England Rugby fame!'
Photo: Richard Lane Photography

Unfortunately, thanks to the British climate, we had disastrous weather on the Chetwynd Barracks Station Fun Day - but we still made extra funds with our prize draws and glasses of Pimms and Lemonade! We had some fantastic prizes donated - including meals out, tickets to theme parks and pampering spa treatments! Thanks to all the companies who donated and thanks to Mr. Levers for braving the gales and helping us!

As a last ditch attempt to raise more funds for the production, we are asking for more donations via our Just Giving page - so please, if you haven't given yet, do support our efforts to help the Army Benevolent Fund http://www.justgiving.com/abfsweetheartscalendar Every penny counts. And of course, please buy the calendar in September! It'll look great on your wall. ;) In the mean time, watch this space for news about the Official Launch Party.

After months of us searching, Chrissie has finally found someone who has been kind enough to lend us a vintage style microphone for Sunday's shoot with Leanne, our Miss October!
Big thanks go to John at Worldwide Music for his help with this.

On Wednesday, it's Station Fun Day at Chetwynd Barracks - home of our Sweethearts Calendar. Chrissie and I are going to be in the ABF marquee selling their merchandise, serving Pimms and Lemonade and raising more funds for the calendar with some fantastic prizes that have been kindly donated by local companies. We're praying for sunshine!

In other news, details for the launch party are being finalised, it's set to be a really exciting and glitzy event with cocktails, food and entertainment provided. It's strictly RSVP, so if you want to be part of the fun, please contact Chrissie on 07804 942578. More details to follow!

Miss July's look... Model: Faye Wilson, Hair stylist: Sheila Hart, Make-up: Chrissie Rowell

Update

Today we had our first glimpse of what the finished calendar will look like. We're in the safe hands of Infocado publishers, who have shown Chrissie and I the first design format. It looks amazing!! It's finally all coming together. Last weekend, we shot Miss June and Miss March - two more gorgeous photos! Thanks girls. Our Official Launch date is confirmed and will take place on Saturday 12th Septmeber in the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess at Chetwynd Barracks - home of the Sweethearts Calendar. We're hoping all the girls can make it, so we can toast our hard work and meet some Soldiers! Hello boys... x

New fundraising total is £1,013 so we are now just over a quarter of the way to reaching our target!

These cute cupcakes were kindly made for us by The Walk Cafe Nottingham, for today's Miss March shoot. (Sarah-Louise Elton)

With Miss January, February, June, November and December shoots also completed, the calendar is now in full swing!

Thank you once again to all of you that have made a donation.
Fundraising now stands at £993. Almost a quarter of the way to reaching our target.