Inspirational South Shields women who stripped off for charity raise £6,000 for Macmillan

The brave South Shields women who bared all have raised thousands for Macmillan Cancer charity.
The women who bared all for Macmillan. Linda Gordon, 54, Julie Cunningham, 55, Angela Davies, 55, Tracey Newham, 54, Karen Donnelly, Heather Wattm 62, Karen Sparkes, 53, Jean Cook, 59, Elishia Cook, 21 and Lana Davies 23The women who bared all for Macmillan. Linda Gordon, 54, Julie Cunningham, 55, Angela Davies, 55, Tracey Newham, 54, Karen Donnelly, Heather Wattm 62, Karen Sparkes, 53, Jean Cook, 59, Elishia Cook, 21 and Lana Davies 23
The women who bared all for Macmillan. Linda Gordon, 54, Julie Cunningham, 55, Angela Davies, 55, Tracey Newham, 54, Karen Donnelly, Heather Wattm 62, Karen Sparkes, 53, Jean Cook, 59, Elishia Cook, 21 and Lana Davies 23

A group of 10 friends shed their clothes on stage at the Whiteleas Social Club on Saturday, November 30, moving friends and family to tears with their performance.

Linda Gordon, 54 and Julie Cunningham, 55, set up the South Shields Macmillan Fundraising group after both losing their husbands to cancer within two years of each other.

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They were joined by friends Angela Davies, 55, Tracey Newham, 54, Karen Donnelly, Heather Watt, 62, Karen Sparkes, 53, Jean Cook, 59, Elishia Cook, 21 and Lana Davies 23 for the event, who have known each other for years and all felt the impact of the disease in some way.

The women on stage with Macmillan fundraising manager for South Tyneside and Sunderland, Jane Curry (centre).The women on stage with Macmillan fundraising manager for South Tyneside and Sunderland, Jane Curry (centre).
The women on stage with Macmillan fundraising manager for South Tyneside and Sunderland, Jane Curry (centre).

After months of rehearsing they stripped off to This is Me, by Keala Settle from the soundtrack to The Greatest Showman.

“We had been practising for months beforehand and as it was getting near some of us were getting really nervous but we did it without many mishaps,” said Linda.

“Everyone was so lovely and respectful, it felt like a real celebration.”

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They have now hailed the sell-out show a huge success, raising more than £6,000 for the charity through ticket sales, raffles and donations.

Linda said: “It was fantastic. It went over so quickly we all wanted to do it again.

“We couldn’t believe how much we raised, it’s a huge amount and way more than we expected.”

Around 300 people bought tickets to the event, many of whom were friends and family, and a few tears were shed on the night.

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“It was quite emotional for some of us and I think it really touched people. There were men and women in tears,” Linda continued.

“I felt really liberated, everybody was so supportive they were cheering us on.”

She added: “We’re all a bit emotionally exhausted, we put a lot of hard work in, but it was so worth it.

“Now we’re thinking about what we are going to do next.”

For more information visit the South Shields Macmillan Fundraising Group Facebook page.

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