Chiefs Women’s Exposed calendar benefits two charities

Exeter Chiefs Women’s first Exposed calendar has raised more than £3,000 for charity.

The club launched the women’s version of the naked calendar to celebrate body positivity but to also raise money for two important causes, Breast Cancer Now and the Exeter Chiefs Foundation.

The calendar was driven by the players who wanted to mirror the success of the long-running men’s Exposed calendar, while championing their own message of strength and confidence. It was the first of its kind in the PWR.

It featured 19 of the current playing squad plus pink accessories as a nod to Breast Cancer Now. The club has sent the proceeds of two sold-out print runs of the calendar to Breast Cancer Now and Exeter Chiefs Foundation.

Linde van der Velden, who helped organise the calendar shoot and was February’s featured player, said: “We were so pleased with the success of the calendar. To sell out two print runs was very satisfying, especially as it wasn’t the easiest thing to do for many of us. But we wanted to show how proud we are of our bodies and what they are capable of.

“We are also very grateful to all the supporters who purchased the calendar as we have been able to give two donations to these charities.”

Claire Pulford, associate director, relationship fundraising and events, said: “We’re beyond grateful to the Exeter Chiefs Women’s team for the courage, creativity and teamwork that went into producing the Exposed calendar and for the fantastic amount raised. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every nine minutes in the UK and a man every day. If nothing is done to change this, by 2040, a woman will be diagnosed every eight minutes. That’s why this support has never been more important.

“Initiatives like this not only raise vital funds for our work but also help spark important conversations about body positivity and breast awareness, helping draw attention to our ‘Touch Look Check’ campaign to improve early detection.

“We’d like to thank the players for their brilliant effort and all the supporters who bought a calendar. The money raised will help us continue funding lifesaving research and providing life-changing support for everyone affected by breast cancer.”

Tony Rowe, chairman of Exeter Chiefs Foundation, said: “When the women’s team set their minds to something, they are hard to stop! Their efforts have succeeded in raising extra funds for the Foundation and for that, we are grateful.”