‘Brave’ men take to catwalk for charity

MODELS: Cancer sufferers answer the call to do their bit in sell-out event

Two Mearns men who have battled cancer have taken to the catwalk in a new men-only modelling event for charity.

Richard Haugh from Laurencekirk and Stonehaven man Aaron Wilson answered the call to be Brave models for the day on Friday.

Brave, arranged by the Friends of ANCHOR, saw 24 men who have faced diagnosis become models during the charity show.

Mr Haugh, 54, received the news he had stage three bowel cancer in 2012 after a routine bowel screening.

He underwent extensive surgery but complications meant he spent two weeks in the high dependency unit and his family feared the worst.

He said: “The psychology service provided by Friends of ANCHOR was a great benefit to my wife and I, during what was a very dark time.”

In 2014, aged 40, Mr Wilson was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Since then, he has fought to battle his cancer head-on, with his wife and young daughter his inspiration to keep fighting.

He has endured 2,500 hours of chemotherapy to date.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic meeting

It’s been absolutely fantastic meeting the other men taking part in Brave. AARON WILSON

the other men taking part in Brave,” he said.

“We’ve all been having such a laugh and despite having come together under difficult circumstances, it’s comforting knowing that they have all gone through a similar battle.”

The sell-out event took place at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom, with men from across the north east of Scotland sharing their story and inspiring an audience of more than 500 people.

Every penny raised from Brave will go to the charity.

The event took place the night before sister event Courage on the Catwalk runs through the weekend.

While Courage on the Catwalk celebrates its fifth birthday this year, this was the first opportunity for men to take part.

The charity originally planned to have 18 men involved, but interest was so high they were forced to expand the show.

Picture: Colin Rennie. Richard Haugh, left, and Aaron Wilson became models for the day. Below: Richard strutting his stuff on the catwalk at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom.