After weeks of rehearsals, the brave models who graced Courage on the Catwalk 2017 can hang up their heels.
Time has flown since the participants received the phone call in February after judges had whittled down the applications to 24 models.
But, abrim with nerves and excitement, the ladies took to the stage at a sold-out Beach Ballroom over the weekend, where guests enjoyed afternoon tea in the midst of the catwalk shows.
Sadly, 27-year-old Nadia Cruickshank, one of the models, died last week, but the 23 ladies who took to the catwalk saluted her memory, strutted their stuff and reminded everyone why they were all involved in the event.
Sandra McLennan, from Total E&P UK, has become close to the participants. And she declared on Saturday: Today is very, very special.
“It is the icing on the cake and family and friends can share the journey. There will be a mix of emotions with some tears, but many laughs in this one huge arm of support.
“Courage on the Catwalk is a special and unique thing with an important message. We can see for ourselves the difference the charity is making in the north-east, Orkney and Shetland.
“It supports the simple things associated with wellness through to medical research.
“This is a huge part of our businesses contribution to the community. There is not one person that will not have been affected by cancer.”
Yvonne Mitchell, 43, spent time in the Anchor Unit after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia last year and saw first hand the comfort and care provided by the charity.
She said: “I’m excited for my friends, husband and daughters to come and see me and remembering why we are all here. Friends of Anchor is a local charity and has always been fantastic. Everybody knows somebody that has been affected by cancer.”
The models have built up a supportive relationship with each other during the weeks of rehearsing and dress fittings.
Prior to going on stage for the first show on Saturday, model Claire Robertson, 39, said: “We have made good friendships. I can’t believe we have made it to today. I am both excited and emotional.
“We will miss our Tuesday rehearsals, they have been tremendous fun.
“But we are already planning a few nights out in the future.”
Backstage at Courage
It was the weekend so many had been waiting for. And Courage on the Catwalk 2017 brought a welcome escape from mortal thoughts to a glamorous time in the spotlight for the participants at Aberdeen’s famous Beach Ballroom.
Backstage, the iconic venue was a hive of activity during the opening event on Saturday and two shows on Sunday.
Ably assisted by Gail Rose and her team at Premiere Productions, the diverse group of models got a significant confidence boost before they took to the stage in outfits provided by John Lewis, Celebrations of Turriff and Our Day.
All the models chosen to take part in the fundraising event for Friends of Anchor have been diagnosed with cancer and forced to confront the illness head-on.
For some in their ranks, the battle is still ongoing; while, for others, the illness is a part of their history which they wish to leave behind.
Vilma Main was the oldest model on the catwalk at 77 years of age. It came as a surprise to her when she learned her daughter had put her forward for the annual event, 17 years after she was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
She said: “It was a real shock, but I love my evening wear outfit and have enjoyed meeting all the other ladies.”
By taking part, she hopes she has shown the other models and cancer sufferers that “you can get over the trouble”.
Yvonne Mitchell, 43, was also feeling the nerves before her appearance in the spotlight. With friends and family from Aberdeenshire and some even flying in from London and Newcastle to attend the events, getting her make-up and hair done was a welcome confidence boost.
She added: “I don’t normally wear this much make-up.
“But Gail Rose has been fantastic and given us fabulous outfits. I love my last outfit the most. It is very glamorous.”
The fun and friendship will not end just because the show is over. On the contrary, as 2016 model Linda Gallagher, 66, commented: “We will still see each other regularly and go for coffee.
“We have also been an emotional support for each other. When one of our ladies died last week, it was emotional for everyone. She was quite ill, but she was so brave.
“With what everyone has gone through, they are all so brave.”
With the ballroom packed out all weekend, the events have been part of the Dream Big campaign to raise funds for cancer research in the north-east.
And they have demonstrated the strength of human spirit and the power of camaraderie.
