Male dancers bare all for naked gardening calendar to raise money for prostate cancer research

• I almost daren’t ask, but how did a naked gardening calendar featuring male dancers from Just Jive come about?

The members of my weekly class are a pretty close friendship group and they started a WhatsApp group to keep in touch during lockdown. On World Naked Gardening Day (May 2) one member, Steve, posted a photo of himself with just a petunia on his lap, accompanied by a message challenging the rest of the men in the group. I called his bluff and got Jackie, my wife, to take a shot of me with a watering can protecting my modesty. A couple of other fellas followed suit and one of our lady members commented that we almost had enough for a calendar. An idea was born!

• Have you raised money for charity as a group before?

Yes. We’re a community at Just Jive and we love doing things for the wider community. In the 13 years we’ve been running we have raised more than £20,000 for good causes. Last year we held a dance to raise money for breast cancer research because one of our ladies was suffering with it. She danced all the way through her treatment and is out the other side now. The funds from the calendar will go towards prostate cancer research. All the guys featured are aged between 50 and 74 – a really relevant age bracket for men and prostate cancer.

• You also run the PDW Driving School and have raised money through that business too. What inspires you to do so much for charity?

I think it comes from my dad. He was a big supporter of charities and was part of the Bognor Lions Club. He also helped bring Bognor Birdman to the town many years ago. When he died from a heart attack mum and I raised money for Chichester coronary care. Then the driving school raised money in memory of a local boy – my godson – who lost his life to meningitis. One of the ways we did this was by doing a sponsored road trip to Cornwall and back with learner drivers.

• Are you looking forward to the time when classes can recommence?

Oh yes! As will my mum, who always runs check-in desk at Just Jive’s weekly classes. At 93 she’s a real inspiration. We’re also both looking forward to restarting our monthly dances at Oving Village Hall. The first one out of lockdown will be in aid of the NHS. My class are an amazing bunch of people who support me all the way. Putting the calendar together was such fun.

• Have you always loved dancing?

When I was a child my parents brought me on holiday to Bognor. Mum and Dad were keen dancers and Mum taught me to waltz in the ballroom at Butlin’s. From then on I was hooked.

• How can people buy the Just Jive Naked Gardener’s Calendar?

It is £10 and is available from www.justjive.org.uk

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