In preparation for the Courage on the Catwalk event in aid of Friends of Anchor, the 24 ladies have spent weeks practicing and perfecting their walks.
But one participant is determined to send the message that life has no dress rehearsals and all you can do is enjoy what you have.
Mum-of-two Christine MacLeod, from Newmachar, knew the message she was keen to share during her time at Courage, and after a string of cancer diagnoses, she knows that no amount of practice can prepare people for the battles ahead.
The 48-year-old’s battle with the disease started in 2009, when she discovered she had a malignant mole.
Christine said: “It was a shock to find out it was cancerous.
“I knew melanoma was the most deadly form of skin cancer, but when the doctor said they had removed it all my husband and I never told anybody because we thought there was no point worrying people.
“I just told my kids that I had a dodgy mole removed and that was it.
“So when I found a lump in my groin four years later, that was a surprise.”
In 2013 Christine discovered cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in her groin and she had to have a lymph node dissection on her right leg.
Then in 2014 her battle with cancer intensified as it reached her pelvis, lungs, liver and brain.
The treatment she underwent caused severe sun sensitivity, and left her with greying hair.
She said: “The transition in my hair has been very difficult. But I got to the stage where I thought, my hair is now grey, but I’m here so what does it matter.
“I find it a bit of a struggle sometimes but my hairdresser has been really good at helping me out with it.”
Today, Christine is ready and raring to go for Courage on the Catwalk, and as her treatment continues to control her cancer, which has reached stage four, every dress rehearsal is getting better than the last.
She said: “I’m hoping that doing Courage will help and getting my hair and make-up done will be lovely.
“Since Courage I’m looking at things in a different way – I go shopping and I actually look at high-heeled shoes which I haven’t done in years.
“And I’ve met some wonderful people through it. I also think I will get some confidence back.
“My slogan for Courage is ‘life’s not a dress rehearsal’, because you just have to enjoy what you have now – you can’t undo what has been done.
“If my treatments are able to keep my cancer at bay for as long as possible, then that’s all I can ask.
“My doctors are hopeful I can live into old age with this diagnosis and I hope other people in my situation can share this hope too.”
