The original Calendar Girl will return as a guest speaker at a charity lunch next month to help hospice patients.

Tricia Stewart, who came up with the initial Calendar Girls idea in 1998 after her friend’s husband was diagnosed with lymphoma, will speak to guests at Rennie Grove Hospice Care’s ladies charity lunch next month.

Tricia decided she wanted to do an alternative Women’s Institute (WI) calendar – which usually featured pictures of hills, sheep and village greens – featuring the crafts of WI, but in the nude.

The idea came to her after her friend and fellow Rylstone & District WI member Angela’s husband John Baker was diagnosed with non-hodgkin lymphoma in February 1998, as a way to raise money for research into blood-related cancers.

After he died from the condition a few months later in July, Tricia was determined to go ahead with the calendar in memory of John and to raise funds for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research (now known as Bloodwise).

Around 11 women aged between 45 and 65 were involved in the calendar, which was launched in April 1999.

The story inspired the hit film Calendar Girls and the Rylstone & District WI smashed its initial fundraising target of £5,000, raising almost £5 million for Bloodwise over 18 years.

Rennie Grove director of fundraising and marketing, Gillian Barnett, said: “Tricia is a hilarious speaker and we are delighted to welcome her back to our ladies charity lunch in March.

“The lunch is a perfect way for friends, family and colleagues to enjoy a delicious lunch in an elegant venue whilst being entertained by Tricia’s incredible account of her unexpected success.

“With an award-winning musical co-written by Gary Barlow – Calendar Girls the Musical – now touring the UK and receiving five-star West End reviews, the lunch will be a fantastic opportunity to catch up with Tricia and hear all about working with Gary as well as hearing first hand from the driving force behind the alternative Women’s Institute (WI) calendar that became a worldwide phenomenon.”

The lunch will take place at Chartridge Park Golf Club on Friday, March 16, and will include a prosecco reception, two course meal with a glass of wine, coffee and truffles and an opportunity to win a raffle prize.

For details or to book, visit www.renniegrove.org or call 01442 890222.