Rock Of The North's very own Calendar Girls bare all in aid of Cancer Research

Cancer is a terrible disease which will afflict one in three of us at some point in our lives. Now, 13 brave women connected to local semi-pro rock bands in the North of England have revealed all in a limited edition 2012 Frock Of The North calendar to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Rock of the North, a website dedicated to local live music and set up by Steve Lally (who is recovering from cancer himself), had brought together many of the participants and their various bands for fundraising gigs, and it was during one of these that Rockweiler vocalist Rachel Claughton came up with the calendar idea.

Rachel then brought on board fellow ROTN sisters Angie Dodds and Jamie Whittaker from Top Gun and The Rakkiteers, Vikki Malarkey of Angel Of Sin, Helen Taylor and Kerrie Davies of Resurgence, Karon Lewis of Broadband, Liz Charman of Motus, Louise Stalker of Empress, Sheila McFarlane of Bonnie Mac Blues Band, Gail Branch of The Sugar Mamas, and Margherita D'Cruz and Leesa Mae to take their clothes off to raise money for cancer sufferers.

Worldwide trade distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd has provided a variety of musical instruments to cover the ladies' modesty (including Vintage, Fret-King, Italia, and Santos Martinez guitars, MXR pedals, Odyssey brasswind instruments and Boomwhackers) with the pictures for January to November themed around classic rock album covers. A competition to correctly name each album cover will provide one lucky winner with a Vintage® V6 electric guitar. A final, Christmas-themed group shot takes pride of place in December.

Photographed by JHS's Gary Barlow, the calendar is tasteful, playful and fun, with each of the participants bringing their own unique rock vibe to proceedings. They've had to do it in their spare time, too: the girls count a Dental Nurse, Project Manager, Receptionist, Teacher, Senior Analyst, Podiatrist, TV Designer, Business Development Director, Physiotherapist, Clinical Scientist and two Post Women among their ranks.

The project has been backed financially by a unique collaboration of local businesses – including Auto Trader – working together, with their generous donations and support keeping the Frock Of The North dream alive.

The calendar will be publicly launched in late September by the girls, and a few celebrities to boot, at one of Yorkshire's biggest and most prestigious venues. More details of the launch event, and photo and interview opportunities, are to follow soon.

So, make sure you pick up one of the calendars when they go on sale in early October – you'll be doing your bit for people with cancer. Priced at a very reasonable £5 each, and with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Cancer Research UK, the calendars will be available to buy online at the Rock Of The North website.