Catz star in naked charity calendar
First years Eleanor Robinson and Polly Liverston in the ‘April’ picture from the Catz Human Scientists calendar
A charity calendar featuring naked St Catz undergraduates has been produced in memory of a student killed in a cycling accident in May 2004. The project, organised by students from the college, is intended both to commemorate first year Human Sciences student Emilie Harris, and to raise awareness of the dangers of cycling in Oxford. The calendar, to go on sale in fourth week, consists of photos of naked Human Science students, concealed only by items of science paraphernalia.
All proceeds from the calendar will go to Emilie’s Charities, an organisation set up by the student’s family and friends soon after her death to raise money for charities and projects that she visited and supported during her gap year. University authorities have responded positively to the calendar. Theo Raymond, one of the organisers, said, “We have the full support of St Catz and Human Sciences which we are all thrilled about.
It gives our project a good deal more weight to have all the governing bodies behind us 100 per cent.” Master of St Catz, Professor Roger Ainsworth, said, “Emilie was very dear to us. I knew her well. “I do not doubt she would have supported this initiative with considerable enthusiasm.
The dangers of cycling in Oxford were highlighted last week by the county council, who released a statement warning female cyclists were most at risk, and advising students to ‘master the art of the backward look’. Yet even during the last week, two students have been victims of cycling accidents around the city. St Hilda’s student Moushira El-Sahn was knocked from her bike last week but suffered no injuries.
Last Thursday a first-year undergraduate from LMH was hit by a van on Beaumont Street, causing internal bruising to her hip and spine. Historian Ellie Nairne suffered concussion, and must now use crutches. She has also been advised to rest for two weeks, but is determined to perform in Miss Julie at the Burton Taylor Theatre this week as planned. Nairne recalls looking behind as she cycled, and seeing a van at some distance.
Despite the concussion, she is able to remember being hit before falling onto her hip. The police have been given details of the van driver, and legal action is being taken. Nairne admitted she is worried about cycling in the future, and said she will wear a helmet from now on. Her advice for other student cyclists is, “Don’t trust white van drivers!”.
2nd Feb 2006