Sufferers of Crohn's disease strip to their underwear to prove Stoma bags are no barrier to being beautiful for racy calendar
- Eleven women have stripped to their underwear for charity calendar
- They all suffer with Crohn's disease and had part of intestines removed
- Wanted to boost women's confidence and prove stoma bags can be sexy
A group of Crohn's disease sufferers have stripped off for a raunchy lingerie calendar to prove that stoma bags can be sexy.
The brave women have all undergone surgery to remove parts of their intestines and need ileostomy bags to move waste out of the body because the colon is unable to function properly.
Organiser Samantha Cawley wanted to prove that the pouches, similar to colostomy bags, are no barrier to being beautiful.
A group of Crohn's disease sufferers have stripped off for a raunchy lingerie calendar to prove that stoma bags can be sexy. Pictured: Amanda, Miss September
Founder Lauren Henderson, 27, of Kidderminster, Worcestershire is the face of November, left, and Jasmine, right, is May
Sam, 28, from Hardwicke, Gloucestershire, said: 'There's a lot of stigma surrounding having an ostomy and it is something that needs to be stamped out.
'I know there are some women out there that don't want to get naked in front of their partners because they are so self-conscious so, hopefully, this calendar will do something to help them rebuild their confidence.'
The train driver was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, which causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system, at the age of 26.
It can cause fatigue, severe abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhoea.
Sam, who is the face of August in the calendar, went to the doctor with two of these symptoms and was diagnosed after a number of tests.
All 11 women have undergone surgery to remove parts of their intestines and need ileostomy bags to move waste out of the body
The calendar will raise money for charity Purple Wings, which supports sufferers of bowel disease. Pictured: Claire is January, left, while Annie is Miss April, right
She said: 'At first it was hoped that they could fix it with a concoction of drugs including steroids, but sadly this didn't work.
'In April 2014, I had surgery to remove some of the bowel. At the time I was warned I may come out of surgery with a colostomy bag but, on that occasion, the operation was successful.'
Just three days later Sam was rushed back into hospital because her bowel had split and doctors were forced to fit an ileostomy bag.
'I consider myself one of the lucky ones,' said Sam. 'I had a long-term partner, in fact we are getting married next month, so I already had this great support network.
'But I know a lot of other ladies in my situation are scared to even go out.'
All the women have Crohn's disease, which causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. Pictured left, Natalie for March and, right, Miss June Levi
The women hope the calendar will help women who are self-conscious about their pouches. Pictured: Tracey, for February, left, and Miss July Lisa, right
Organiser Samantha Cawley, 28, from Hardwicke, Gloucestershire (pictured) said: 'I know there are some women out there that don't want to get naked in front of their partners because they are so self-conscious'
The calendar is raising money for the charity Purple Wings, which supports sufferers of bowel disease.
Founder Lauren Henderson, 27, of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, said the 11 women involved were extremely brave and it was great that they didn't feel self-conscious.
The teacher, who appears as Miss November, said: 'It's so hard trying to get the message out that these women are still beautiful.
'I'm so proud. It's epic. I really can't put it into words.
'I think there are still people that think ileostomy bags aren't very nice - times have changed.
'We are so lucky and on a day to day basis people don't know we have these. No one gave us a choice - we needed these to stay alive.
'Other people need to get on with it and accept it. It's a massive thing to get it out, but it shouldn't be.'
Copies of the calendar can be purchased at purplewingscharity.com
Most watched News videos
- Moment police officer is dragged down by car driver in tactical stop
- Met Police release video of an arrest during a protest on York Road
- 16-year-old student asks Rishi Sunak why he 'hates' young people
- Protest march organised by Tommy Robinson held in Parliament Square
- Nigel Farage says he backs Trump 'more than ever' after conviction
- Thousands join Tommy Robinson for far-right demo in central London
- Moment woman kills pensioner with Alzheimer's in 'red mist' shove
- Heartbreaking moment two men threaten to jump from asylum seeker site
- Friends filmed in final embrace before being swept away in floods
- Hillary Clinton reacts to Donald Trump verdict with a wry smile
- Police arrest pro-Palestine Youth Demand activists blocking streets
- Moment police arrest Tommy Robinson protester at London demonstration