It’s that time of year again. While the rest of the country is piling on the layers, the Edinburgh Rugby squad have been stripping off and strolling the streets of the capital – all in the name of charity.
If you’ve spied Ross Ford, Tim Visser and Alex Grove wandering down the Royal Mile with barely a stitch to their name, or had a trip to view the one o’clock gun enlivened by the sight of Phil Godman, Greig Laidlaw and Mark Robertson strutting about in kilts and little else, there’s no need to be alarmed.
The boys have simply been playing their part in the production of the 2011 Edinburgh Rugby Calendar; a uniquely Scottish interpretation of the Dieux du Stade range that has proved so successful for Stade Francais.
Proceeds from the calendar, which features a host of your favourite players in all your favourite Edinburgh locations, will again go to the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre located in the capital.
It’s the brainchild of Nick De Luca, the Edinburgh and Scotland centre, who promises that this year’s effort, to be unveiled at the official launch party next week, is bigger and better than ever.
The midfield man said: “We’ve again had a great time putting the calendar together, and I’m sure the fans are going to love it. A lot of thought went in to where we took the guys, and our photographer Alethiea de Pasquale has done a fantastic job with the images.
“Last year we sold more than 1500 copies, and we’re desperate to match and hopefully better that this time, so that Maggie’s can carry on offering the fantastic level of service that they provide. It’s a really deserving cause, and each and every one of the players was only too happy to lend their support.”
The calendar will be available in the Scottish Rugby Store at Murrayfield from the start of November. It will again retail at ?10, with all proceeds going to Maggie’s. As a bonus, the calendar includes two extra months – December 2010 and January 2012 – giving supporters who buy it a total of more than 30 inimitable images.
“It’s a really fun idea for a present, especially with Christmas coming up soon,” said De Luca. “If you’re after a gift that will make the person smile all year round, there’s nothing better out there.”
Andrew Anderson, centre head at Maggie’s Edinburgh, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Nick and Edinburgh Rugby have decided to produce such a great calendar to support Maggie’s Centre for a second year. The ongoing support from all at Edinburgh Rugby is really appreciated by all at Maggie’s and we hope that the calendar will be a great success again.”
The 2011 Edinburgh Rugby Calendar will be officially launched on Wednesday 3 November, at a party at One Below in the Rutland Hotel. The fun kicks off at 6pm, when guests can share a glass of fizz with their favourite Edinburgh players. The calendar will go on sale at 6.30pm, followed by a silent auction for signed original shots of the players.
Tickets cost just 5pounds, with all proceeds going to Maggie’s. Book yours now on www.thecalendarparty.com
