Men saddle up for calendar fundraiser

Claire Macmanomy rounded up 12 willing volunteers to pose for the equine-themed calendar. Most of the images feature scantily clad men standing with horses, no doubt not knowing where to look. They include Dave Daley - AKA Mr June - who runs a cafe in Baggeridge Park.

Claire, aged 43, fractured three vertebrae after her horse was hit in Gospel End, Sedgley, last February.

She has since campaigned for safety measures to be installed along the road and is helping the calendar will spread the word about what happened to her, as well as raise money for charity.

The stars of the calendar are all from the Black Country, with the pictures also snapped in the region.

Some got into the spirit a little more than others. Mr May was particularly keen, stripping down completely next to scrambler and carrying a bale of hay on his back, with only a crossed leg blocking the unmentionables. Others look more than a little uncomfortable with the whole thing.

Mr December, pictured inside Santa's sleigh, will perhaps be the most relieved as presents cover most of his body.

She said: "I was chatting with one of the livery yard owners I know and we decided to do the calendar. Some of them were rather shy, understandably because they are naked, with things in front of them blocking their dignity. They wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for charity."

Despite the fun and games that came with putting the calendar together, there is a serious message behind it.

Claire remains in constant pain since her accident and it has been a slow journey towards recovery. She has gone back to work but still struggles with the effects of her injuries.

The incident has also had a psychological impact and she is unsure whether she will get into the saddle again.

"I don't think I have got my confidence back. I have been to physiotherapy and confidence building lessons," she said.

She had been out riding her friend's horse Red to a nearby stables when she was hit by the lorry and sent tumbling to the floor.

As well as three broken vertebrae, Claire also had to have fluid to be drained from between her liver and spleen.

She was forced to lie flat in bed for two weeks and then had a further fortnight in hospital with the back brace at the hospital before she was discharged with up to 50 tablets to be taken daily to ease her symptoms. The horse had suffered several cuts and was lucky not to lose an eye.

She says the road is a 'death trap' and is worried something similar could happen to other horse riders or cyclists.

She said: "I'm hoping the calendar will bring a little bit more attention to it. It is a really dangerous road. Ideally, I would want a speed camera down there but that won't happen because they have all been deactivated. Even some double lines to stop people overtaking would help, people see the straight road and put their foot down."

The calendars cost £5.99 and are available from Westgate Equestrian, the Summer House and Monty's Wine Bar, all in Sedgley. Proceeds will be donated to Cancer Research UK and Blue Cross for Pets.

Claire was also keen to ensure she raised money for causes that were important to her.

She said: "Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and the Blue Cross was the only charity I could find that helps horses."