Racy calendar to raise money

CALENDAR SUPPORT: (l-r) Berndt Maylander (FIA F1 Safety Car Driver) Herbie Blash (FIA Assistant Race Director) Paul, his son and fellow marshal Liam, and FIA race director Charlie Whiting at this year’s British GP at Silverstone.

AN Oldham man has put some prestigious wheels in motion to help defeat a killer disease.

Paul Sutcliffe, an Oulton Park marshal, has spent the last 12 months gathering names from the world of Formula One to produce a fundraising calendar.

Drivers and big names in the industry - including Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenburg, Allan McNish, Damon Hill, Martin Brundle, Bruno Senna, Charlie Whiting and Herbie Blash are supporting the Marshalls’ Charity Calendar.

Top flight teams Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren, Force India, Lotus and Caterham - plus Sky’s F1 show team - have also been involved in the calendar in support of Shaw-based Melanoma UK.

Paul, from Hollins, became involved with the charity when he was diagnosed with the skin cancer - prevalent among outdoor workers - in 2008.

Paul says the late-stage patient support and research group was a vital port of call for him during his illness.

He has since spent years trying to get the calendar off the ground, but finally cracked it with the help of motorsport photographers Andrea Pennington and Gaynor Stocker. Paul’s glossy 2015 calendar is now on the podium.

He and Melonoma UK’s Andy Worthington spent a year travelling the country, visiting circuits and factories within motorsport for the photoshoots.

“I can’t believe how well it’s gone and some of the names we’ve got on board — I’m thrilled,” he said.

“The teams and companies involved in motor sport tend to do their own calendars so for them to all come together to support this is unique.”

The calendars are £10 from www.melanomauk.org.uk and www.andreapennington.com.