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Polkadotgals Girls Party - Calendar Launch

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Category: Fundraising

Published on Friday, 07 November 2008 22:01

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On Saturday 8th November, Bianca Embley the former model and air hostess whose career was destroyed when a piece of breathing equipment fell on her, causing the onset of Fibromyalgia, is launching the first semi nude Polkadotgals calendar. 

Top supporter is Page 3 model and Polkadotgals ambassador Danni Wells. The calendar which will sell for £9.99 +PP in the UK, $20.99 in Canada, $19.99 in the USA, €12.99 in Europe and $20.99 in Australia, is available from FMA UK or direct from www.polkadotgals.com, it has been created to raise awareness of the illness, which could potentially affect up to 10 million people within the UK daily, as less than 20% of sufferers are officially diagnosed.

Top of the list of celebrities attending is Danni Wells, the star of the Polkadotgals calendar, who has made her name in showbiz modelling for The Sun and Zoo magazine. Other delectable beauties set to make an appearance include 2008 Miss England winner Laura Coleman, stopping by on her way to the Miss World competition in Johannesburg.  You’ll definitely notice the Coventry City football lads, not only in the calendar but in the hotel and if you’re racing to the bar for a cocktail, don’t bother competing with Sara McGreavy – she’s a champion 100m hurdler!  

The event will begin with a champagne and canapé reception, followed by, the première of the “Polkadotgals Documentary”, the evening will then host a celebrity memorabilia auction, and Stephen Simms Former RSC actor will act as auctioneer.  Guests can bid for a number of items donated by generous celebrities who wished to help the Polkadotgals cause, including a ‘Calendar Girls’ calendar signed by the star of the film, Helen Mirren, a chefs hat signed by Raymond Blanc and a number of items from donated from Coventry City Football club to name but a few.  After the auction, the launch raffle will be drawn by Miss England, which features a number of fabulous prizes kindly donated by businesses across Warwickshire. The party then begins in earnest with a well-known DJ and live musicians topping the bill.

The PolkDotGals calendar 2009 has been shot by renowned London photographer Luke Varley. The calendar features model Danni Wells, championship 100m hurdler Sara McGreavy and Coventry City footballers Michael Doyle and Elliott Ward together will sufferers. Leading Fibromyalgia specialists and Shadow Minister Rob Wilson MP also support the campaign. The calendar will be available in the UK, Europe and the US in partnership with the National Fibromyalgia Association in the USA.

The launch of the calendar marks Bianca’s 10 year struggle with the devastating illness. Bianca commented: “Up to 2 million people in the UK are known to suffer from Fibromyalgia, but there could be up to 10 million. I created the Polkadotgals campaign to support the sufferers of this chronic condition after 10 years of trying to learn to manage the illness myself. At 31, I was registered disabled, unable to return to work and required full time care.

Having spent the last decade researching the condition and visiting specialists around the world it became clear to me that in order for Fibromyalgia to be recognised as a real condition there needed to be a strong campaign within the media to draw attention to the plight of sufferers and to highlight the scale of the problem. The condition can be caused by a whiplash style injury, there is no cure and often the symptoms are unbearable.

The following is a list of Bianca’s achievements over the past year.

• She has created a branded internationally recognized awareness campaign, called the Polkadotgals.

• Created the Polkadotgals website, www.polkadotgals.com.

• Enlisted the services of two independent Film Companies, to film, produce and edited a professional documentary on the Polkadotgals campaign.

• Recruited a PR company to work full time on publishing Fibromyalgia and the Polkadotgals Campaign.

• The European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA), of which Fibromyalgia Association UK is a member, is using information and material from the Polkadotgals as part of its European Campaign, and is hoping to display calendar pictures in the European Parliament.

• Developed relationships and links with Fibromyalgia Specialists, Organizations and charities across the world, including FMA UK who the Polkadotgals are working in Association with.

• Staged a photo shoot outside the houses of Parliament with 14 models and celebrities to create publicity and awareness of the Polkadotgals and Fibromyalgia, attracted red tops such as the Mirror and ITV Central News.

• Created a 2009 celebrity Calendar for Fibromyalgia, which is now being distributed internationally.

• Has now agreed for a Top London designer to create the first pieces of the Polkadotgals Underwear range.

• Has received media coverage from “ The Sun “, “The Daily Express”,  “BBC Radio” and “Channel Five News to name but a few”. With upcoming features in Bella and She Magazine.

• Developed a close relationship with the National Fibromyalgia Association in the U.S.A, who are not only supporting the Polkadotgals campaign, but also awarded Bianca a Scholarship, to represent the UK as an ambassador for Fibromyalgia at their 2009 International Leaders Against Pain Conference in the US in September.

The Calendar launch takes place on the 8^th November in Warwickshire and is being held in association with UK Charity FMA UK, Coventry City Football Club and The Episode Hotel. Bianca says: “I’m delighted by the success we’ve had so far, but there is so much more to do.

For more information and a full biography of Bianca Embley please contact:
Linda Cohen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Rosie Runciman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) on 01242 269170.