Friday, March 29, 2024
NewsGroup of soldiers strip for charity calendar

Group of soldiers strip for charity calendar

A GROUP of old soldiers have been inspired by Prince Harry to strip off for a charity calendar.

The former members of the Royal Scots – most holding a carefully-positioned glengarry – stand proudly to attention in front of Scottish landmarks.

The veterans stripped off to raise money for the 1 Scots Soldiers and Dependents Fund.

The men took inspiration from the facebook group that did naked salutes to Prince Harry

 

 

The calendar is the brainchild of former Colour Sergeant Peter Cockburn, 67, from Bo’ness near Falkirk, who hopes it will give the 1 Scots currently in Helmand province a morale boost.

He said: “There was a facebook group for a naked salute for Prince Harry.

“That prompted one of my friends to post his own naked salute to wish 1 Scots a safe tour.

“Then I followed suit as I thought it was a damn good idea.”

Thanks to a bit of computer trickery, Mr June poses beside a statue of Desperate Dan in Dundee, and Mr August gives a salute in front of a postbox in Edinburgh’s Hunter Square.

It is hoped the calendars will give the 1 Scots a morale boost while serving out in Helmand province

 

Mr October, Glaswegian former squaddie Derek Notman, even has a son currently serving in Afghanistan.

Mr Cockburn added: “Ex-Royal Scots, we’re game for anything!

“It gives the boys in Afghanistan a morale boost. It’s the kind of boost they need when they’re out there.

“I must the be oldest calendar boy in the country!”

The calendars will sell for £5 a piece.

Mr Cockburn, who boldly stands in front of Buckingham Palace as Mr February in the calendar, continued: “It’s taken off very fast, it’s only been about a month since I started.

“I’ve had a few sleepless nights, thinking ‘me and my stupid ideas.’”

The calendars will be sold for £5

 

Mr Cockburn, who spent 22 years in the regular army before working in barracks as a civilian and joining the TA, had no difficulty finding volunteers for the calendar, with 15 former squaddies sending him pictures.

He said: ”My wife Jenny has been very supportive of the idea – she took my photograph for the calendar – and she’s already hinted this could be the start of an annual event.

“At my age you don’t get embarrassed that easily.”

All the calendar shots show the men “Photoshopped” in front of famous Scottish landmarks.

Mr Notman, in his 50s, poses in front of a picture of Glencoe, while Tom Logan from Prestonpans poses in front of a postbox in Edinburgh.

Mr April stands to attention in front of Holyrood palace while Mr December is seen emerging from a Royal Scots badge.

The money raised will go towards wounded 1 Scots soldiers and helping bereaved families of troops killed in action.

 

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