Lady in red – and not much else

IT’S that time of the year again — when Ryanair convinces its cabin crew to strip off their uniform and be O’Learied at, all in the name of charity.

Perhaps mindful of previous criticism of ignoring home-grown talent — not to mention a high-profile court case involving former Miss World and daughter of Chris de Burgh, Rosanna Davison — the airline has included two Irish crew members in its 2012 calendar.

Gillian Moore, from Killester in Dublin, even wears an emerald green ensemble accompanied by a leprechaun-esque hat plonked on her distinctly red-tinged head of hair.

Fellow Dubliner Lisa Henderson, originally from Ballymun but now based in Madrid, strikes a sultry pose as a Lady in Red in lingerie that appears to leave little to the imagination. But Lisa is still hiding something — a dragon tattoo has been airbrushed off her side.

While chief executive Michael O’Leary threw himself in to the publicity photoshoot yesterday, even giving one of his cabin crew models a cheeky lift onto a podium, there is also a serious side to the calendar. Ryanair hopes that this year’s calendar will raise up to €100,000 for its chosen good cause.

The airline’s head of communications Stephen McNamara said: “Ryanair’s gorgeous cabin crew are pleased to once again strip off for charity and this year they have selected DEBRA, who help children born with skin so fragile they are affectionately referred to as ‘Butterfly Children’.”

Mr McNamara said the money raised would be used to bring 50 children and their families to Malaga in Spain, where they would be provided with professional care and assistance by the DEBRA team to ensure an “unforgettable family holiday”.

DEBRA Ireland and DEBRA Spain were established by parents who had children born with epidermolysis bullosa, an incredibly painful and debilitating condition which causes their skin internally and externally to be as delicate and fragile as the wings of a butterfly, and just as easily damaged.

The airline’s calendars have raised €500,000 since the first was published in 2008.

Ryanair said this year’s product is “the sexiest ever, featuring 13 cabin crew stunners in swimwear and lingerie” — and there’s even room for their very own Girl in Green and Lady in Red.

Picture: Michael O’Leary with the stars of the Ryanair calendar