WIDNES based charity Sam’s Diamonds which supports ladies on their cancer journey is releasing a calendar to empower women.

The charity hosts regular meet-ups for coffee and chats, workshops and fun activities, designed to help the women stay positive at such a hard time in life. Sam’s Diamonds also provides a signposting service to allow members to find services that are available to them in their area.

Award-winning Allie Crewe Photography shot the calendar which allowed the ladies to embrace their scars, see them as a symbol of strength and feel positive about their bodies again. The ladies were given a make-over by Tesco Beauty department and then given the opportunity to reveal as much of their bodies as they wished during the shoot.

Sam Lewis, said: “We wanted to show our ladies that their scars add to their beauty as they demonstrate their inner strength. They were all so nervous and out of their comfort zones, but with a little encouragement and a few giggles, they did themselves proud! The growth in confidence and self-esteem afterwards was priceless!”

Sam’s Diamonds will be holding a launch party for the calendar at The Galleria Bar in Rainhill on Tuesday, October 2 at 7pm. If you want to attend this free event call the office on 01744 815548 and place your name on the guest list.

The charity also provides health and wellbeing activities to rebuild strength, confidence and self-esteem.

Sam’s Diamonds began in Widnes after Sam Lewis was herself diagnosed with breast cancer aged 39 back in 2012. She felt the urgency to enjoy life and learn new things whilst she felt she still had time to but her friends and family all had to work whilst she had to stay home.

She said: “It was driving me crazy sitting in and waiting for treatment to hopefully work, this can send you in to some dark places! I needed to get out and about with positive people who also needed to make the most out of each and every day!

“I hope that this calendar will continue to empower more ladies across the north west to feel proud of their achievements. We have also included motivational quotes from each of our ladies with the hope to inspire more positivity around cancer, more discussion and to encourage people to be more body aware!”

Sam’s Diamonds has regular meet-ups and workshops all over the north west and a private Facebook page where members can talk freely to each other.

More information about Sam’s Diamonds can be found on www.samsdiamonds.org.uk.

If you wish to become a member please go to the website and click on ‘be a diamond’ or call Sam on 01744815548.