A mother-of-five who has become a professional model in her 50s is raising money to support homeless former soldiers by launching a charity calendar.

East Anglian Daily Times: Model, Sali Austin-Banks is producing a charity calendar. Sali is pictured during a photo shoot at her home in Elmswell with photographer Adrian Dawes.Model, Sali Austin-Banks is producing a charity calendar. Sali is pictured during a photo shoot at her home in Elmswell with photographer Adrian Dawes. (Image: Archant)

It all began last September when Sali Austin-Banks’ fiancé Steve Banks bought her a photo shoot for her birthday to help her become more confident about her body image.

This initial shoot has developed into two modelling agency contracts and, inspired by the Battle of Britain’s 75th anniversary year, has led to a charity calendar for Soldiers Off The Street (S.O.T.S).

Miss Austin-Banks, (pictured), from Elmswell, said: “I decided to do it because of the Battle of Britain year. It was our inspiration to do something to acknowledge the Battle of Britain – our soldiers then and our soldiers now, and helping them. I think it’s appalling they are living on the street with no job, no home.”

Miss Austin-Banks, who also has her own healthcare business, has modelling contracts with a London-based agency and another in Surrey.

“For me it’s saying you can be 53 years old and a mother-of-five and still have a good body and look good. Just because you are 53 doesn’t mean you have to give up. At 52 I became a professional, mature model, but I do actually feel a bit of a fraud. I don’t see what everybody sees.”

Her modelling career is managed by her fiancé and she is working on the 2016 calendar with photographer Adrian Dawes. Everybody involved in producing it have given up their time to support the charity.

The calendar, costing £15 including postage and packaging, will be available from mid to end of October. To order a copy through PayPal use sali.model.calendar@gmail.com

Also visit Miss Austin-Banks’ Facebook page by searching for ‘Sali Austin Banks’