GPH Builders Merchants is spreading Christmas cheer with the publication of a calendar created to raise money for two local charities.

Brave employees from the merchant, which is based in Westhill, Inverurie and Stonehaven, have stripped off for the company’s 2016 calendar, with proceeds going to CLAN and Alzheimer Scotland.

Staff posed for tasteful photographs in the style of Calendar Girls meets Bob the Builder. Taken at the firm’s Inverurie branch, the images were captured by Aberdeen photographer Carol Frost.

Customers and clients can be the proud owner of this one-off calendar for a suitable donation, with money being split between each charity.

Colette Backwell, CEO of CLAN, said: “We are delighted to have the support of GPH and cannot thank the team enough for choosing CLAN – not to mention their efforts in producing the calendar! Every penny raised for CLAN goes towards meeting our goal of providing support for anyone affected by cancer in the North-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland, and we are always grateful for the generosity shown by those throughout the areas we serve.”

Rachel Smith, head of corporate partnerships, Alzheimer Scotland, added: “We really appreciate the dedication and enthusiasm of GPH Builders Merchants in raising funds for Alzheimer Scotland. There are over 90,000 people with dementia in Scotland and more than 4,200 in Aberdeenshire. The money raised by GPH will help us to make sure that none of them have to face dementia alone.”

GPH sales and marketing director, Nikki Mortimer, concluded: “Choosing to strip off for the calendar was a very brave decision for our employees to make and we are extremely proud of everyone who agreed to take part.

“The photo shoot, which took place at our Inverurie branch due to the redevelopment currently underway at both our Westhill and Stonehaven locations, was completed within a day, and everyone involved really got in to the spirit of things – which we feel shines through in the end result.

“Staff who participated were asked to nominate a charity they would like to benefit from the sale of the calendars. CLAN and Alzheimer Scotland were selected as the two charities closest to their hearts.

“Our customers have always been very supportive of our charity fundraising efforts, and we hope that by raising a few smiles we will encourage people to dig deep and support these two worthy causes this festive season.”

The GPH charity calendar 2016 is available now from all three GPH branches.