THE heartbroken family of Sorcha Glenn have spared their blushes and got together to strip for a cancer charity calendar.
Sorcha Glenn died from cancer after being denied a smear test.
She was refused the test in June 2013 because she was aged just 22, but was diagnosed with cervical cancer three months later and died last year.
Now her family and friends who set up Team Sorcha in her memory have stripped for action in a cheeky calendar shoot to help raise awareness of cervical screening which is only offered to women from the age of 25.
Sorcha’s mum Christina said: “There was no embarrassment I’ve had five children, there are people walking around town that have seen bits of me that I haven’t seen.
“We thought it was a bit of fun and would make people laugh. Sorcha would be in stitches.”
“What she would have said was: ‘Mommy, what are you doing?’ with that tone like they know everything.”
But Christina added there was a serious reason for doing the calendar.
She said: “We wanted to show that cancer can affect anybody at any age. You can crumble under it or look it straight in the face and say: ‘I’m going to fight.’
Derry girl Sorcha underwent six rounds of chemo and 36 radiotherapy sessions, brachytherapy, a radical hysterectomy and full pelvic lymph node clearance but lost her battle with the disease in October last year.
The saucy Legenderry Calendar was organised by model and nurse Emmette Dillon.
He founded the BeBraveBeBodyAwareBeCancerFree Campaign after his own mum passed away from cancer.
Each month features a different model or models, including stunning Nadia Sayers, Emmette even got in on the action himself wearing just a Santa hat to spare his blushes.
Proceeds from sales will be split between a number of charities, including Foyle Hospice and the Irish Cancer Society.
Sorcha’s favourite time of year was Christmas and Christina said the family plan to celebrate the holidays just the way she would have liked it.
She said: “She loved Christmas, and I ask myself: ‘If she were here what would I be doing?’ So, we as a family, are doing what we’ve always done.
The late Sorcha Glenn who died of ovarian cancer at the age of 23
“We must carry on. That’s why she loved it; because of the things we did as a family. Why would I stop now?
“She will be missed, but it’s a celebration.
“I would see it like I was letting her down if I didn’t carry on with the usual Christmas and the lights and the tree.”
The calendar is on sale now from the Legenderry Charity Calendar Facebook page.
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