Kilmarnock College cleaners become calendar models

Feb 6 2009 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

THE cleaners at Kilmarnock College have proved they’re not old scrubbers by becoming calendar models.

These lovely ladies became pin-ups for a charity calendar in aid of their campus supervisor George McAvoy, who is battling cancer.

It was the college’s janitor Billy Brown who came up with the idea of turning the cleaners into calendar girls.

And college photographer John Connor snapped the calendar in a day with themes for each month like ‘beside the seaside’ in July and ‘St Andrew’s Day’ for November.

Cleaner Mary McAllister, of Kilmarnock, said: “We brought along our own costumes from whatever we had in the house. It was great fun.”

The calendar was printed and produced by the college’s marketing department.

Michelle Ross, the college’s marketing officer, said: “Everyone had a great laugh doing it and I’m sure it will keep everyone who bought it amused for the year to come.”

Cleaner Karen McLeod, of Kilmarnock, said: “We have sold around 300 calendars, mainly to staff at the college.

“They have been very supportive and everyone agrees that this was the best way to show George we are thinking of him. We all hope he gets better soon.”

Sales of the calendar have so far raised more than £1000 for Ayrshire Cancer Support.

Janie Riddick, who is general manager of Ayrshire Cancer Support, is George’s sister.

Janie said: “This donation is all the more personal to myself because George is my brother and I really appreciate all the support he has had.”

She added: “Sadly the need for our service continues to grow and, without the help of caring people like the team at Kilmarnock College, we would be unable to continue the service we provide for cancer patients and their carers.”