The line-up for this year’s Courage on the Catwalk has been revealed – and includes a Stonehaven mum who has been dreaming of taking part since her cancer diagnosis.
Anona Gauld is one of 24 women who will take part in Friends of ANCHOR’s huge fashion show at P&J Live on May 10 and 11.
All the women have, at some point, faced a cancer or haematology diagnosis – whether they are still receiving treatment, living with their diagnosis or sharing their story of hope from receiving the all-clear.
The models are aged from 23 to 86 and come from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, including Ellon, Maud, Cushnie by Alford, Newtonhill, Bridge of Don and Seaton.
The ladies have now met for the first time, filling P&J Live with a buzz of excitement as they began swapping stories and hearing what’s in store for them in the coming weeks.
The full list of participants are: Agneta Rankin, 62, Cushnie; Anona Gauld, 41, Stonehaven; Chloe Reid, 23, Torry; Clair Ogilvie, 46, Bridge of Don; Claire Anderson, 37, Hilton; Edith Thomson, 85, Midstocket; Emma Findlay, 56, Newburgh; Evelyn Wood, 86, Old Aberdeen; Helene Rose, 66, Craigiebuckler; Jenna Yule, 38, Bridge of Don; Jovita Fawcett, 26, Seaton; Karen Gordon, 38, Ellon; Kay Edmond, 42, Countesswells; Kelly Butler, 34, Countesswells; Kirsteen Deighton, 55, Newtonhill; Lisa Mowat, 27, Maud; Lisa Wilkie, 43, Portlethen; Lynn Staite, 72, Garthdee; Maggie Thomson, 68, Potterton; Mel Wright, 30, Belhelvie; Mhairi Anderson, 50, Dyce; Moyra Clark, 58, Udny; Sheena Anderson, 67, West End; Victoria Ferries, 26, Lumphanan.
'A dream come true'
Anona put taking part in Courage on the Catwalk on her “vision board” after being diagnosed with colorectal and secondary liver cancer in August 2023.
The 41-year-old, who runs her own property leasing firm, underwent chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy ahead of two major surgeries last summer. She is now adjusting to life with a stoma – nicknamed Sheila – and hopes the Courage experience will help her build her confidence again.
She said: “You do worry about your body image once you’ve got a stoma bag, but I don’t let it get me down. I still get on with things and just enjoy every moment.”
Over the next three months, the Courage ladies will form lasting friendships as they get to know each other at social occasions and six rehearsals – where they’ll be professionally trained and styled by modelling agency Premiere Productions to get them catwalk ready.
Anona, who had some of her treatment at home, believes meeting other women who have been through a diagnosis will be a huge boost to her ongoing recovery.
“When I got the call to say I was in the line-up, I was so excited,” she said. “I applied last year and was unsuccessful, so I was really keeping my fingers crossed that I’d be lucky this year.
“I just can’t wait – it’s going to be an amazing experience. I’m looking forward to meeting others that have been through, or are going through, treatment for cancer and just be able to chat to them about our experiences and make new friends while building up my own confidence again.
“Courage has been my dream, it’s been on my vision board since my diagnosis. I’m just delighted.”
'Never an easy task to pick line-up'
More than 70 women applied to take part in this year’s show, with the selection panel taking eight hours to select a diverse line-up representing different cancer types and women of all ages from across the area served by the ANCHOR Unit.
Sarah-Jane Hogg, chief executive at Friends of ANCHOR, said: “It’s never an easy task to select the final line-up, as every single applicant is deserving of a spot. We never underestimate the courage it takes to put yourself forward for something like Courage on the Catwalk, and its brother event Brave, and want to thank every person who so candidly shared their stories with us.
“After meeting our 2025 Courage ladies for the first time, we know it’s going to be a truly inspiring experience for not only them – but their friends and family as they see their confidence bloom and new friendships form. We can’t wait for rehearsals to start so we can cheer them on all the way to the shows.”
The group will make their catwalk debut in front of a sell-out crowd at P&J Live on May 10 and 11. Although the event is already sold out, a waiting list is in operation.
Courage on the Catwalk and its all-male equivalent Brave are Friends of ANCHOR’s biggest annual fundraisers. More than £2million has been raised since 2013, which has gone directly towards supporting cancer and haematology patients in the north-east of Scotland.