Two Aberdeenshire cancer survivors are raising funds for a local charity which helped them through their treatment.
Dorothy Smith and Katrina Farquhar will hold a “food and flowers” event in Aboyne’s Victory Hall tomorrow to muster cash for the Friends of Anchor in honour of its 20th anniversary.
Both Mrs Farquhar, of Logie Coldstone, and Mrs Smith, of Lumphanan, praised the Anchor Unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for providing invaluable assistance through their breast cancer treatment.
Both women are former Courage on the Catwalk models.
Mrs Farquhar was given the all-clear two years ago, and Mrs Smith at the end of 2016.
Former Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside councillor, Mrs Farquhar, said: ” We have been friends for a long time after she (Mrs Smith) was diagnosed nearly two years ago now.
“We wanted to do something different instead of the usual fundraising. The Anchor Unit was just invaluable and you felt you had folk going through the same things as you were.
“It sounds a bit mad, but you would go into chemotherapy and there was quite a lot of camaraderie. Just getting through the whole medical side of it, it was good to have folk that know exactly what you are going through as well.”
The event will encourage people to try their hand at floral art. Aboyne auctioneer, Alan Taylor, will compere the proceedings, while Ballater’s Barry Florence, of HM Sheridan, will be inviting attendees to put their butchery skills to the test with a sausagemaking session.
Mrs Farquhar added: “Barry has got a few things up his sleeve. We have got floral art, and we are getting folk up to do floral arrangements.
“We are hoping to raise as much as we can, we are not going to set any sort of figures.”
PR and Fundraising executive for Friends of Anchor, Ursula Fairlie, said they were “truly grateful” to the pair.
She added: “From Courage on the Catwalk models to fundraisers, these ladies have continued to champion the cause over the years. I’m sure the evening will be a tremendous success.”
Tickets cost £10 and can be obtained from Mrs Smith on 01339 883 807 and Mrs Farquhar on 07753 851 637.
The event will begin at 7.30pm with doors opening at 6.45pm.
