With the launch of Ladies First Charity Calendar 2027, Nub News is meeting the local women behind the project to discover the personal stories, passions and causes that inspired them to take part.

From stepping outside their comfort zones to raising money for charities close to their hearts, each woman has her own reason for getting involved. In this series, we find out their 'why' and what the experience has meant to them.

Natasha Blacklock – Balsall Common

For Natasha Blacklock, taking part in the Ladies First Charity Calendar was an opportunity to challenge the way she sees herself, step outside her comfort zone and support a charity with a deeply personal connection to her own childhood.

She admitted she has struggled with being critical of herself since her school years and wanted to do something different to challenge those feelings.

"I've often been quite critical about myself, and probably have been since school," she said.

"But I still hold on to those teenage kind of, not loving yourself type feelings.

"I just really wanted to do something that was just a little bit different and a bit out there."

Natasha's why

Natasha has been involved with Ladies First for several years through her aunt Tracey, who runs the organisation.

She initially began helping with the planning of its awards and has spent the past seven or eight years mainly supporting the awards side of the business.

For the calendar, she was paired with one of her best friends for the photoshoot, which she said helped make the experience less daunting.

Her partner also offered words of encouragement before the day, while a glass of champagne and a hug with her friend helped settle her nerves.

"Having someone I trusted by my side made a real difference to the whole part of having to go for that shoot," she said.

Natasha added that the hair and make-up team helped her feel more confident, while seeing the other women taking part also put her at ease.

She arrived around an hour early and had the opportunity to see some of the other participants before her own shoot.

"It kind of relaxed me to see all these other gorgeous women taking part and just expressing themselves," she said.

Outside Ladies First, Natasha works as a PA and office manager for the Builders Merchants Trade Association in Coventry, where she has been employed for the past two years.

Natasha's chosen charity: Birmingham Children's Hospital

Having been born with a heart condition, Natasha chose to support Birmingham Children's Hospital, specifically its children's heart ward.

She explained that her condition gradually worsened throughout her childhood, with her symptoms becoming increasingly noticeable by the time she was 10.

"I couldn't walk down the road without my lips going blue and I'd get out of breath," she said.

She recalled how her mother would notice her struggling, despite her attempts to insist she was fine.

"I always remember my mum saying to me, 'You're out of breath, aren't you?' And I'd be like, 'No, no, I'm absolutely fine.'

"But she knew I wasn't fine and I knew I wasn't fine, but I was 10 and scared."

At the age of 10, Natasha underwent heart surgery at the hospital, where she said she received excellent care and was monitored for years afterwards.

The operation made a significant difference to her quality of life, allowing her to take part in physical activities that had previously been difficult.

She continues to attend appointments at the adult hospital and can now run half marathons and take part in spin classes.

"After having that operation, I was able to sort of exercise regularly," she said.

"All the things that as a child, like playing sports and stuff, I couldn't really do."

She said she wanted to give something back to the hospital that had supported her throughout her childhood.

"Even now you see them on the TV, they're still doing amazing things," she said.

The Ladies First Charity Calendar launched on 15 October and is now available to purchase here.