Northamptonshire grassroots football team strip off for charity calendar after player’s wife diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer

A Northampton grassroots football team bravely stripped off to pose for a calendar shoot in a bid to raise money for a cancer charity.

Welford Victoria Vets team, which is for players over the age of 35, stripped off to raise funds for Hope Against Cancer after a wife of one of the players was diagnosed with the disease.

Joanna Sutton-Larsen, Jonny Larsen’s wife, was diagnosed with Stage 4 secondary breast cancer in 2015.

Jonny began fundraising for the Leicester-based charity, which provides specialist cancer support, last year, and with the help of his team, raised more than £1,500.

He had more events planned in 2020, but the majority were cancelled, so Jonny instead enlisted his teammates to help him create a nude calendar as a way of raising vital funds.

Jonny said: “I haven’t been a member of the squad for that long, however the support they have given towards my fundraising has been overwhelming.

“Jo has been a Welford girl all her life and knows many of the squad.

“Welford Vets are such a tight knit group and their support has been amazing.

“I would like to say a massive thanks to my friends and teammates at Welford Vets for bearing all for their 2021 calendar.

“All I can say from the bottom of my heart is thank you, and thanks as well to those who have already bought and donated.”

In total, 16 players stripped off, outside on a cold December day to pose with footballs covering their modesty.

To get your hands on the calendar donate £20 to Jonny’s JustGiving page and then email [email protected] to say you would like to be sent a calendar.

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