INSPIRED by the way her friend dealt with breast cancer, Holme Valley photographer Amanda Crowther embarked on a daring project to celebrate the lives of survivors and tell their stories.

She began a quest to find women prepared to be photographed either nude or semi-nude to show others that there is life after breast cancer.

Amanda said: “The idea was to help other women by showing how these women had survived and were grabbing today and making the most of it.

“It’s as much about a frame of mind and having the right attitude, looking on the bright side.”

Initially the project was intended as a website and Amanda set up www.onthebrightside.org.uk to showcase the photographs and allow the women to explain how they had been affected by breast cancer.

But it soon became clear that she had material for a fundraising calendar.

Last week, after many months of work, the On The Bright Side calendar was launched at a gala evening in Huddersfield, attended by the women and their families from all over the country. The event was compered by Hollyoaks actor Paul Opacic.

Amanda has had to fundraise to cover the expenses of shooting the calendar. She and her team of stylists and technicians have travelled as far afield as Brighton and Newcastle, although four of the ‘calendar girls’ are local.

The first breast cancer survivor to be photographed was Amanda’s close friend Di Holden, a single mum from Netherthong, and Miss January.

Other local contributors to the calendar and website were Holme Valley acupuncturist Stacey Ash and two Dewsbury residents, Sonya Greer and Janice Todd.

“This was a daunting project from the start,” says Amanda, “and it got bigger and bigger.

“But the women were as pleased as punch with the calendar and the atmosphere at the dinner was absolutely fantastic.

“There were tears and laughter, every emotion going.”

The calendars are available from Occasions Card Shop in Holmfirth and Cube Cure dress shop in Marsden, price £10.

Online they are £12.50 from the project’s website. Alternatively send a postal order or cheque for £12.50 made payable to On the Bright Side, to 1A France Fold, Honley, Holmfirth, HD9 6DL. Include a return address and contact email.

The charity Haven, which has centres in Leeds, London and Hereford, will get £8 from each sale. It provides comfort, therapeutic treatments, advice and counselling, the centres are open and free to all breast cancer patients.