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The stars of a popular naked charity calendar have stripped off on camera for a final time in a bid to top the £50,000 mark.
The first “Hunks & Horses” nude calendar was produced in 2014, with organisers hoping to raise a couple of thousand pounds for their two chosen charities — World Horse Welfare and Testicular Cancer Research UK.
“We couldn’t believe it when it made £4,000 in the first year, then £7,000 the next and last year £15,000 — it just got bigger and bigger,” founder Kim Smith told H&H.
“It had got to the point where we would like to end on a high, to go out with a bang in the final year.”
The idea to support testicular cancer research came after Kim’s husband— and calendar star — Aaron was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2009. He was given the all-clear last year.
The inspiration to support World Horse Welfare came from a mare called Melody, who was born at the charity’s Hall Farm branch after her mother was rescued. The Smiths fostered her as a youngster until she was old enough to be rehomed as a ridden pony.
“In the first year, we sold 1,000 calendars and thought that was absolutely brilliant,” said Kim.
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“Then in the second year, we just ordered 1,000 again, but kept selling out!”
Photos for this year’s calendar, taken by E&K Creative, Wedding & Event Photography, feature long-reining, a bride and tasteful nude tack-cleaning among the shots.
Kim said people are always keen to lend their horses for the shoots, but that thinking up new ideas can be difficult — or they do not always go to plan, such as one memorable attempt involving a water jump, and some unprintable pictures.
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“We have had three guys who have been involved from the beginning and others who have come and gone over the years,” added Kim.
“We are at about £40,000 now with the current fundraising, and we would like to reach £50,000 to cap it off.”
Visit: www.hunksandhorses.co.uk
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.