Employees at a vehicle tracking company Masternaut have stripped off to raise money for a breast cancer charity. The mastermind behind the daring photoshoot was Sonya Greer, aged 30 from Wakefield. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2008 aged just 27 and is now in remission, thanks to the help and support she received as a visitor to The Haven centre in Leeds.
Over 30 Masternaut employees took part in the photoshoot, which saw the employees adopt a whole host of glamorous and tasteful poses. The girls were captured wearing nothing but pink ties in different locations around the company's superb grade II listed building. Male members of the team donned pink hard-hats and were captured with bare bottoms on equipment such as a cherry-picker and road-sweeper - the types of vehicles used by the company's customers. The photos will be featuring in a luxurious notebook that will be sold, with all proceeds going to The Haven.
Sonya joined Masternaut in 2010 and has made it her mission to share her incredible story, inspiring others and raising money for The Haven. Sonya approached Masternaut's MD Martin Port with the bold idea for the photoshoot.
"I've been touched by the thoughtfulness of the people at Masternaut - they have shown such understanding and compassion towards my illness. Everyone jumped at the chance to get involved with the photoshoot to create our notebook, which we have called 'Supporting a Safer Journey'. Getting people to 'expose' themselves for charity was a huge ask, but they've done it, and I'm eternally grateful. Sometimes you need to do something really bold to get your message across - and this has been a great way to fundraise and really spread the word."
The Haven has centres in London, Hereford and Leeds and provides, completely free of charge, a wide range of therapies which help people deal with the physical and emotional side effects of breast cancer. Specialist nurses and experts in nutrition, exercise and emotional support provide tailor-made programmes for each person who comes through it's doors.
In Yorkshire and The Humber region alone, over 4,000 women are diagnosed with the cancer every year. To date, The Yorkshire Haven, located in the Gateway complex in Leeds, has cared for over 940 Visitors.
Debra Horsman The Yorkshire Haven Programme Manager said:
"Sonia was one of our first Visitors to The Yorkshire Haven after we opened in October 2008. It has been an honour to support her along her breast cancer journey. We are thrilled that today she can inspire others with her bravery and determination. We are grateful for the proceeds that this notebook will bring, and most importantly, it will let those diagnosed with breast cancer know they do not have to go through it alone. "
Sonya adds "Without places like The Haven, and people like the managers and employees at Masternaut, such centres wouldn't exist. Fundraising is vital to ensure they last, and I know how many people's battles have been made easier because of the Haven."
Masternaut's Managing Director Martin Port talks of the pride the company has in supporting Sonya's fundraising mission:
"Sonya is an inspiration to us all - and the idea for the charity notebook has energised all our employees. It's been a little bit of fun to produce - but the money we will raise is going to make a big difference for people with Breast Cancer all over the UK. The 'Supporting a Safer Journey' notebook is luxurious and tasteful - and all proceeds are going to The Haven. We urge people to buy a copy and spread the word by visiting www.masternaut.co.uk/haven."