A Monmouthshire business group raising money for the Purple Community Fund are showcasing empowered, entrepreneurial mothers by publishing a Marilyn Monroe-themed charity calendar.

Mums In Business Association Monmouthshire coordinator Victoria Grattidge, leading the charge, has rallied fellow mums in business to put together a “daring, yet empowering” charity calendar based on Marilyn Monroe’s famous white sheet shoot. All the women featured in the calendar are local business owners from the Monmouthshire business group.

The business group has been growing fast with a membership now approaching 400.

Victoria, who owns Amber Cleaning Services, was inspired by the grit, success and confidence of her fellow business mums as well as the charitable work the Purple Heart Fund does.

“As a mum, their work really struck a chord with me,” she said.

The iconic 1961 photoset featuring the historically famous actress and taken by then 27-year-old Douglas Kirkland is now the artistic inspiration for a body positive calendar to be photographed by local photographer, Elle Bright.

With over 20 years professional experience, Elle specialises in photographing women how they want to be seen and “giving them the confidence to go out and conquer the world.”

A minimum target for the fundraiser has been set at £1,000 but the group are hoping to raise in excess of that.

The Purple Community Fund helps poorer families and communities transform their own lives with skills training, education, health and nutrition programmes.

They encourage and teach their beneficiaries to earn a sustainable living to support their families as well as enabling parents to perfect new skills through various programmes for both men and women whilst supporting their children in education. The fund helps families and communities primarily in the Philippines, with smaller projects in Tanzania.

The Mums in Business Association is a business network for mothers to collaborate with each other in an environment sympathetic to the challenges of raising children while running a business, while providing opportunities for mums to grow their entrepreneurial talents and business ideas in a safe and welcoming environment.