FACTORY workers tore off their overalls for a Full Monty-style calendar which has raised over £700 to help a teenager suffering from leukaemia.

The brave lads at Bentwood's, in Leigh, showed off their bodies for a raunchy collection of photos which were quickly snapped-up by their female colleagues.

The calendar has been such a success it has already brought in £707.75 for Daniel Berry, who is fighting to beat leukaemia.

The 17-year-old, of Crosby Grove, Atherton, was diagnosed with the disease last September. His condition improved before Christmas and it was hoped the disease had gone into remission.

But earlier this month his parents, Gary and Elaine, were devastated to hear that, after his fourth session of chemotherapy, the cancer seemed to be resisting treatment.

Distraught family

Doctors told the distraught family there is nothing more they can do, leaving Daniel's only hope lying in an American clinic in Texas.

The family, who have been desperately fund-raising, have managed to collect £40,000, but need a massive £200,000 to cover the total cost of the treatment.

Bentwood's factory worker Claire Wilson, who organised the calendar shoot, said: "I have children of my own and after reading about Daniel in the Journal I wanted to help. It took a bit of persuading, but I eventually got the lads to do it. They were a bit embarrassed though, especially with me taking the pictures!"

Atherton-based Murbros printed the calendars free of charge on paper donated by Michael Jackson Ltd. The money raised was donated to the family last week.

A calendar model and worker from Bentwood's Leigh Road factory said: "We did well to raise this much, but it's still not enough to help the poor lad."

Daniel and his parents flew to America last week and, following a three-day consultation costing £8,000, a treatment plan has been drawn up for Daniel. It comprises five cycles of treatment, using the drug Peg-asparaginase, which is not available in this country. Each cycle costs £30,000 and involves a week of chemotherapy followed by three to four weeks recovery.

The family, who are staying at the Ronald MacDonald charity hotel funded by American company BOC Medical, hope to begin treatment at the M D Anderson clinic as soon as possible, but they have to pay up-front and at present can only afford one complete cycle.

The Berrys originally applied to the NHS for funds towards the treatment in America, but were rejected on the grounds that the treatment was only experimental.

Daniel's uncle, Neil Hughes explained: "There are four factors to qualify for funding -- the condition must be of a serious nature, suitable treatment must not be available in the UK or EEA, treatment abroad must be well established, not experimental and there must be a high probability of significant benefit to the patient. Our claim was rejected on the third point."

Since being in Texas the family have discovered that this treatment is, in fact, very well established and used regularly, with a high success rate in people of Daniel's age. They are now in the process of re-applying to the NHS for funding with the help of Leigh MP Andy Burnham.

Friends and family continue to fund-raise for the brave teenager, but Mr Hughes stressed how desperate the situation has become.

Pledge money

He said: "We are all so grateful for everything people have done to help us so far, but this re-application may take longer than Daniel has got. We are begging for someone to pledge money so Daniel can complete the treatment. It is so important to us and could save Daniel's life."

Anyone wanting to help can visit a special website set up by ex-policeman Bob Marshall, who also set up a website for murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne. Any e-mails sent through the site -- www.danielberry.org can -- be accessed by Gary and Elaine Berry while they are in America. Any donations can be sent to PO Box 33, Manchester, M24 9YX.

A bucket collection at the Leigh Centurions v Dewsbury game on Sunday, February 17 raised over £900 for Daniel.