Candy For A Cause

The Firefighters' Calendar is a New Zealand icon. It not only tells the dates but also spreads the message of fire safety and acts as a fundraiser for child cancer…all through twelve firemen in alluring poses for each month of the year. Beefcake and eye candy for a cause.

Les Presling is the man behind this calendar. Les was born in the South Island but has also been a Westie and now lives on the North Shore. He has been in the fire service for so long his colleagues claim that he is oldest fireman in the country. A claim Les denies. He is one of the oldest, he says.

In 'Candy For A Cause' Sapna Samant hangs out with Les Presling at the Devonport Fire Station while he oversees the first shoot of the 2008 Firefighters' calendar. Present are model of the day Glenn and photographer for that shoot Brendon. They discuss lighting, spray tans, make-up and other manly things needed to enhance the beefcake and eye candy.

Together they not only tell the story of the calendar but bring out the spirit of service and camaraderie amongst the firemen of New Zealand.

Produced by Sapna Samant for Radio New Zealand


Les Presling, who began the calendar, with Sapna Samant and model Glenn