Each has a story of everyday bravery to tell – and the 24 men who will take to the catwalk this May intend to use those tales to make a difference.
They will be starts of the latest Friends of Anchor show, Brave, which raises funds to support those with cancer.
Each of the models has faced a cancer or haematology diagnosis and hope their experiences will help others.
With ages ranging from 23 to 81, the models are drawn from across the north-east, including Portlethen, Banff, Aboyne and Echt.
Brave sits alongside the women-only, Courage on the Catwalk show, whose participants were announced last week.
The men met for the first time at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom on Wednesday as they began preparations to get suited and booted for the grand event.
Sarah-Jane Hogg, fundraising and development director at Friends of Anchor, said: “Our group of models represent the breadth and scale of lives affected by a cancer or haematology diagnosis.
“It features 24 gents who have faced that reality, including one diagnosed with the non-malignant blood disorder haemophilia – a disease that is treated within the haematology ward in the Anchor Unit.
“One of our models was diagnosed in 1990, while another received his diagnosis in 1997 – the year Friends of Anchor was founded.
“Some men are still going through treatment, and others are bravely living with their diagnosis.”
The models will be coached and styled by a professional model agency during five rehearsals before they take part in two shows.
Occupations of those involved include a farmer, butcher and offshore electrical technician.
As well as raising vital funds for the charity, it is hoped that the event will be therapeutic for those taking part as they move forward with their lives.
Ms Hogg added: “With three years of Brave now under our belts, we have found that this event has its own very special identity that is quite separate from its sister event, Courage on the Catwalk.
“To really celebrate that, we have changed the format slightly this year and our Brave models will now strut their stuff across two evening shows at the Beach Ballroom.
“As always, we’re expecting an electric atmosphere, and meeting these guys for the first time, we know their friends and families are in for a treat as they cheer them on.”
Brave will hit the catwalk on May 7 and 8 at the Beach Ballroom, with all of the funds raised going directly to the charity’s work in the north-east.
