Local girls salute our heroes

MAKE a date . . . Louise hopes the calendar will help to raise £10,000

A GROUP of feisty females will be fundraising for injured soldiers every month of the year thanks to a sexy calendar filled with Oldham’s finest.

Moorside singer Louise Harper and her friend Dave Hilton rounded up a group of 12 local girl singers to star in a saucy calendar.

Danilo, which makes calendars for the likes of Madonna, Cheryl Cole and Jordan, agreed to design and print 1,000 copies for free and have agreed to make more when these have sold out.

All money raised will go to The Selly Oak Patient Welfare Fund, which helps treat injured soldiers when they come home from combat, and The Riflemans Fund.

The fundraising efforts are in memory of Rifleman William Aldridge, the youngest ever serviceman to die in action.

Louise (30) met William’s sister Lucy at a charity show in Whitby and decided to do her bit to help. She has set a target of £10,000.

Money raised by calendar sales will be topped up by a charity concert — Music For Heroes — at Stalybridge nightclub Rififi on Sunday, December 20, from 1pm.

Dozens of local acts, including “X Factor” hopeful January Woodhead, The Harper Brothers, Brendan Deco and The Jerzey Street Band, will take to the stage.

Louise will perform as a solo artist and with Halo, a group she formed with local singer Morgan’s daughter Hayley Hilton.

Well-known faces from “Shameless” and “Coronation Street” will also be making an appearance on the day along with servicemen and their families. Everyone is welcome at the concert and the admission fee is simply a donation to the fundraising campaign on the door.

Louise said: “This campaign feels really close to my heart and I want to do all I can to help.”

Anyone wanting a copy of the calendar, which is £10, can email Louise at musicforheroes78@yahoo.co.uk