Calendar raises more than just eyebrows
Paul McDonough says he still can't believe the reaction he's received since stripping down and posing around White Rock in late November.
The Marine Drive restaurant owner said there has been nothing but positive feedback for his project – a nude calendar featuring himself, his staff and friends in various stages of undress, all to raise funds for prostate cancer.
"The reaction completely took us by surprise," said McDonough, who owns Jimmy Flynn's Celtic Snug. "It was really well-received."
The calendar, which went on sale in early December, was the suggestion of McDonough's friend and photographer Elke Tobisch, who had heard McDonough and friends talk about a way to raise money and awareness for the disease after the recent diagnosis' of friends and family.
Initially, the goal was to raise $300, but because of the strong community support McDonough said they were able to raise far more than that.
"We raised $2,500 in total. To be able to say you raised that much, it's unbelievable," he said.
McDonough said he was able to keep the cost of the calendars down because of the support he received from Buchanan Printing, who designed and printed the calendars for a fraction of the cost.
"They did it all for $2.50 each. They really stepped up to the plate," he said.
Half of the proceeds from the calendar were donated to the White Rock/South Surrey Hospice Society with the other half going to the BC Prostate Cancer Foundation
On Jan. 17, former mayor and new executive director of the hospice society Catherine Ferguson and members of the cancer foundation were on-hand at Jimmy Flynn's to accept the cheques for the donation.
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.