by Dan Bloom

A nude calendar set up by a Gillingham army wife has reached a less than modest fifth year of raising funds.

Amy Woods, 29, had the idea in 2007 to empower other women and raise funds to combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Since then she has founded the charity Garrison Girls and wants to raise £5m to build a unique retreat for PTSD sufferers and their families.

The mum-of-two, who lives in Brompton Barracks where her husband, Daniel, serves in the Royal Engineers, opted not to feature in next year’s calendar despite being Miss October this year.

But she sourced vintage hats from Rochester’s Platoon Stores and persuaded one neighbour to get her kit off for the cover.

Amy said: "All my friends were really positive about it. As Forces’ wives we all see why the cause is so important.

"It’s not all about getting your kit off and the excitement that goes with that. It’s about doing something really crucial for so many soldiers."

The women are all anonymous in the photos, which have featured in several national newspapers.

"We feel the calendar represents all Forces’ wives, not just the girls featured," Amy said. "That’s why no faces are shown."

Mum-of-two Gemma Derbyshire, 31, said she was nervous at the photo shoot but says it was worth her legs adorning the cover to fight PTSD.

Once known as shell shock, the condition has affected thousands of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Former Rainham School for Girls pupil Gemma, of Kings Bastion, Brompton, said: "When I did the shoot my husband was on his first tour with the Royal Engineers to Afghanistan.

"I worried if he was going to come back the same person as when he went away. I could cope better with him losing an arm or a leg.

"I’m pretty outgoing. I’m not a shy person, but getting my clothes off in front of strangers was still nerve-wracking.

"Now we’ve got it hanging in the kitchen."

Buy the 2013 calendar from garrisongirls.com