A team of fundraisers from across the UK horticulture industry has dared to bare all for a naked calendar to raise money for the horticulturists’ charity, Perennial.

The calendar makes a fantastic Christmas gift idea and all proceeds will go towards helping those working in horticulture and their families during times of crisis.

Anita Bates, Director of Marketing and Development at Perennial, said, “Thanks so much to the all boys who had the courage to bare everything for the calendar. We’ve been amazed at the lengths our supporters will go to in order to help fellow horticulturists in need!

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this fun, cheeky calendar that will no doubt make a cracking Christmas stocking filler, but the message behind it is a serious one. Perennial helped over 1,200 horticulturists last year who were struggling with the challenges of work, unemployment, bereavement, illness, disability and old age. We’d like to be there for more people and are working hard to increase our fundraising activities in order to grow and offer services to more people who need our help.”

The hardy group was photographed at The Roof Gardens, Kensington in a variety of seasonal poses. For some of them, it wasn’t the first time this year that they have gone naked to raise awareness and money for Perennial.

Several of them shot to fame with a naked photo shoot to celebrate World Naked Gardening Day in May, which resulted in media coverage including an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women. The group, dubbed the Grubby Gardeners, originally came together through Twitter to form a fundraising team that raised over £6,000 for Perennial by taking part in the Dirty Dozen Races mud-run in April.

Plans for the calendar were initiated by Michael Perry, founder of the Grubby Gardeners and a gardening expert and presenter. He comments: “I’m sure you remember the Calendar Girls, then we saw firemen, marines, even rowers, but somehow gardeners had never de-clothed for charity.

“So I’d been hatching a plan for a few years, looking for a range of horticulturists who might be up for it. On the back of all this cheekiness, Perennial and their charity work is going from strength to strength and beginning to reach a wider audience, so let’s continue to make that happen!”

Pictures for the calendar were shot by professional photographer Debbie Monique Jolliff, the granddaughter of the acclaimed bulb company founder Jacques Amand. She says, “We had great fun on the shoot – everyone was very relaxed and took it all in their stride.

“The venue was incredible – early summer sunshine, a beautifully kept garden as a backdrop and the stunning flamingos. We hope you enjoy the results.”

The 2015 Perennial Naked Gardeners calendar costs £9.99, and is available to pre-order now at www.perennial.org.uk/calendar