A father from Congleton has took part in a charity 'dad bod' calendar.

Paul Stechly-Walker joins group of average blokes who have released a calendar proudly showing off their 'dad bods' - to encourage all men to be confident.

The 42-year-old from Congleton, posed in geek glasses and red braces for the calendar raising hundreds for a mental health charity.

He was inspired to take part because he has struggled with depression.

The events manager said: "It was pretty weird getting our clothes off together, but the energy was really high.

"We all felt very comfortable, and there was banter about some of us with very posh expensive boxers and another guy with a hole in his.

"We just thought it's been such a crappy 18 months and most of us have suffered at one point.

"I had severe depression for a few months, one of the guys lost a child in the past, a few of us had lost businesses during the pandemic.

"When we saw the finished calendar it was so emotional.

"We just want to promote normal, un-airbrushed, dad-bods."

Despite it being February, the calendar can still be ordered and costs just 15 quid.

All you have to do is contact the founder Paul Goddard on Instagram.

The 39-year-old Mancunian launched God Bods 2022 in a bid to show support for men who don't have chiselled torsos and rock hard abs.

The lads were recruited after Paul put out a casting call on Facebook asking for people who had experienced or witnessed mental health struggles.

The self-proclaimed 'dad bods' then posed up in their undies for the shoot in a pub.

Each month features photos of men of different ages - and body types - and all proceeds go to mental health charity Andy's Man Club.

Paul and his pals hope that it shows men across the UK that you don't have to be a Chippendale to be confident in your appearance.

The organiser, from Manchester, said: "The point of the calendar is to get guys who aren't confident and don't believe in themselves to come forward and to be like, 'you know what, I am sexy, I am something, I am a person, why can't I be good-looking?'"

The models, aged between 32 and 46, have a range of jobs, such as plumbers, a doorman, a professional boxer, a DJ, and a complaints handler.

Congleton dad Paul Stechly-Walker is an events manager.

"To see it printed and ready to be hung on somebody's wall was magical," he added.

"Imagine going to someone's house and seeing your naked self on the wall.

"It's very humbling to think someone's mum, or even your boss, might recognise you from having seen you naked on the calendar.

"I was suicidal in my depression, I learned that tomorrow is not promised to us, I decided to really live every day, and doing this was part of that."

The final total raised is unknown, however, it is likely there will be another calendar for 2023.

You can follow the local fundraising dad on Instagram.

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