A group of cancer survivors who put on a fashion show in aid of medical research visited an Aberdeen laboratory to see the fruits of their labours yesterday.
The 24 women who took part in the two Courage on the Catwalk events at the city’s Beach Ballroom were given a guided tour of Aberdeen University’s facilities at Foresterhill.
They were given demonstrations of some of the cancer research equipment which their support has helped to fund, such as an electron microscope, a gene machine, and a flow cytometer, which is capable of screening more than 200 cells a minute for signs of the disease.
Since the first Courage on the Catwalk was held last year, in partnership with the Aberdeen-based Friends of Anchor cancer charity, the women have raised more than £100,000.
Judy Alexander, 83, is the oldest model in the group.
She said it had been a life-changing experience.
“There were 24 of us at the Beach Ballroom, we had never met before and were all very nervous, but it was the best thing ever because the 24 of us bonded so well. We’re all close friends now, we’re like a family,” she said.
“I’ve had cancer twice. I had cancer of the cervix when I was 40 years old, and about eight years ago I had breast cancer. I think by being older the young ones look at me and think ‘if she came through it twice, why can’t I?'”
She said the models had thoroughly enjoyed their tour of the research facilities.
“All these teeny-weeny things cost hundreds and thousands of pounds, it’s all very interesting,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to be part of all of this and help in any way I can.
“I’m absolutely thrilled, and all the work they’re doing makes me think to myself thank god for the people who unfortunately have or will develop cancer, it’s so much better for them nowadays.”
Professor Michael Greaves, the head of the University of Aberdeen’s College of Life Sciences and Medicine, said: “It is a huge privilege in the north-east to have access to local charity funding for research and clinical trials such as that provided by Friends of Anchor year-on-year.
“We are indebted to the Courage on the Catwalk ladies for choosing research as one of their main areas of support following their tremendous fundraising efforts.”