News story
6 December 2024
A Norfolk village whose residents have just made national news with photos of their naked calendar for charity are finishing their year of fundraising with a shout out for more singletons to join their final event later this month – speed dating.
The Denton Dreamboys hit the headlines after producing their naked calendar to raise money for both Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and the Royal Papworth Charity.
The village of Denton has been praised as ‘one of a kind’ by Paul White, ACT’s Director of Communications and Impact, after all the extraordinary efforts involving the entire village with fundraising events throughout this year.
Events have included Easter Bingo; a Tractor Run; Party on the Meadow; Walking Football; and a Plough Day, where 45 tractors from neighbouring villages drove to Hardwick Airfield before returning to Denton to plough five fields in the village.
Organisers Paul and Karen Wilby organised a year of events after Paul’s son, Ben, was given a lifesaving operation at Papworth Hospital for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension caused by blood clots on his lungs.
The village decided to raise money for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust – the official charity for Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie – as well as Papworth because so many of the villagers have been treated there.
Culminating with another fun-themed event, their final speed dating evening will take place at the local village hall on Saturday 14th December.
Karen, pictured below with husband Paul, has put a shout-out for more people to sign up saying: “It’s not just about romance. It’s about friendship too and making new friends and perhaps making old friends again. It’s about linking up with people who live locally that you might have forgotten about.”
“At the moment we have a lot of mature ladies in their 60s and a couple of gents in their 60s and one man coming up for the night who is in his 30s so we’re putting a call out for as many people as would like to come. Everyone’s welcome. Anyone over 30 but we want lots of people of all ages.”
She said whilst the event isn’t just about romance – she joked: “It’s about friendship but hopefully more but it would be nice to have everyone coupled up for Christmas! There will be a sprig of mistletoe hanging up in the hall so that they can have a good old snog on the way out!”
Tickets cost £5. To sign up, contact Karen at: rdove@talk21.com
Since launching their calendar last month, Paul has received hundreds of messages of support from people wanting to buy the calendar to support Addenbrooke’s and Papworth after they or their relatives were treated there. He even received an order from as far afield as Holland, from an 87-year-old lady who wrote: “We may have lost our faculties, but we haven’t lost our sense of humour!”
Calendar sales on eBay alone have reached £3,500 so far with more funds due in from shops.
Paul said life had gone a little crazy since the calendar launch last month, adding that since appearing on ITV Anglia, BBC Look East and featuring on BBC Breakfast, Denton Dream Boys have also been approached by This Morning’s production team, to appear on national TV later this month.
For anyone still wanting to get hold of one of the now-famous Denton Dream Boys calendar, they can order it here for £15 including P&P.
To view the ITV Anglia film on the Denton Dream Boys click here, but only if you are prepared to see a few bare bottoms!
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