Two dozen brave women who have endured serious health battles met for the first time yesterday as they prepare to take to the catwalk to strut their stuff this summer.
The Courage on the Catwalk charity fashion shows will raise vital funds for a life-changing north-east charity.
Friends of Anchor will be holding its eighth annual Courage on the Catwalk events on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10.
The latest group of handpicked models, who have battled cancer and haematology issues, will receive professional modelling training and styling as they rally support for the organisation.
The 24 women, aged between 16 and 81, come from all over the north-east and represent all walks of life.
They will look to strut their newfound skills across three shows at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen during the course of the weekend this spring.
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Sarah-Jane Hogg, fundraising and development director at Friends of Anchor, said: “Seeing our Courage on the Catwalk models meet for the first time is always a very special experience, made even more exciting by them meeting at the Beach Ballroom – the very location where they will be strutting their stuff in front of their family and friends come May.
“Year after year, we are overwhelmed by the number of applications we receive, and 2020 has been no exception, with more than 100 women requesting an application form.
“It took the panel over six hours of deliberation to come to the final line-up.
“Our final 24 represent the range of women going through a cancer or haematology diagnosis here in the north-east, with women aged 16 to 81, from every corner of the Grampian region – from Oldmeldrum to Deeside, down to Stonehaven and Inverbervie and out to Keith and Fochabers.
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“One of our models is a survivor of 14 years, some have been recently diagnosed and are still going through treatment, and others are bravely living with their diagnosis.”
The event not only raises valuable funds but builds a community for the women taking part to grow and thrive in as they support one another and form lasting friendships.
Many of the models come back and keep in touch with their class of performers for years following their own catwalk experiences.
With the full line-up now announced, the annual bash will welcome hundreds more as friends and family turn out to support the models during the performances.
The professional styling and training for the event will be undertaken by Aberdeen based modelling agency Premiere Productions UK.
Tickets are on sale to the public on Thursday from 9am, by phoning the Friends of Anchor fundraising office on 01224 859170 or emailing info@friendsofanchor.org.
The 24 models taking part in Courage on the Catwalk 2020
The age listed is the model’s age at the time of the show.
- Alice Robertson, 56, Banchory
- Andrea Ross, 53, Cults
- Carol Mutch, 69, Bridge of Don
- Carol-Ann Bowes, 41, Aberdeen
- Claire Harper, 25, Keith
- Diana Milne, 55, Inverbervie
- Donna Stewart, 53, Newburgh
- Fiona Christie, 56, Aberdeen
- Freia Henery, 49, Cults
- Gail Grigor, 47, Fochabers
- Jane McIntosh, 47, Oldmeldrum
- Judith Forrest, 58, Dyce
- Kirsten McDonald, 45, Aberdeen
- Laura Burnett, 35, Aberdeen
- Laura Sales, 34, Ellon
- Leila Beattie, 51, Laurencekirk
- Linda Johnstone, 59, Stonehaven
- Linda Robertson, 66, Blackburn
- Margaret Donald, 81, Aberdeen
- Marie Dobson, 37, Newmachar
- Molly McLeod, 16, Aberdeen
- Nicola Harper, 57, Portlethen
- Pamela Hay, 64, Cults
- Shelley McDonald, 39, Peterhead
