This weekend we make our final call for men looking to take part in its Brave catwalk event.
As a charity that provides support for people going through treatment for cancer or haematology illnesses, we're encouraging local men who have faced a diagnosis to apply.
The deadline for applications is Monday (February 6) at 5pm.
Friends of ANCHOR director Sarah-Jane Hogg said: “Brave is entering its fifth year and we’re looking forward to meeting our line-up of local men. With space for 24 men to take part, we’d love to see more applicants come forward to soak up the Brave experience that’s ahead for them. This is a really special event; year after year our models say how much they’d love to do it all again, so please take it from them - we’d really encourage anyone who is considering applying to get in touch.”
Brave sees 24 men take to the stage at the Beach Ballroom for a two-day show in May. Professionally styled and trained in advance, the gents take part in an icebreaker dinner, five rehearsals, clothes fittings and photography sessions, all hosted by the event team at Friends of ANCHOR.
The experience is perhaps best summed up by someone who has taken part in the past. Allan Leslie, who modelled in last year’s event after originally joining the line-up in 2020 pre-pandemic, said: “I wish we could freeze the Brave experience in time, or do it all over again. The journey is filled with new experiences and friendships being formed that last far beyond the show nights. We had a blast.”
Charity boss Sarah-Jane added that no modelling experience is required and urged men who have faced a cancer or haematology illness at any time in their lives to apply, whether they are currently going through treatment, have been given the all-clear or are living with cancer.
She said: “Men often think an event like this is out of their comfort zone, but as soon as the icebreaker dinner comes around and the guys begin getting to know one another, you see great friendships form and the fun is non-stop.
“We often find that men don’t speak as openly about health issues they may be dealing with or have experienced in the past. One of our aims with Brave is to change that – this event provides a platform for men to forge new and lasting friendships with their fellow models, and the bonds we see year after year are quite incredible – there’s so much support and camaraderie between the gents.”
Since its inception in 2017, Brave has raised well over half a million pounds for local cancer and haematology care. With this year marking the fifth outing of the event, it has raised £559,888 to be exact, and this year’s fundraising will directly provide enhancements for The ANCHOR Centre, a new cancer and haematology facility due to open in September in Aberdeen.
To date, Friends of ANCHOR has raised over £1.6m towards it’s £2m fundraising goal for the Centre. The extra funding will pay for additional extras including a spa-like complementary therapy room where the organisation will provide relaxing, holistic therapies for people receiving treatment. Treatment chairs and other equipment used by patients and staff, including teaching equipment, will be upgraded thanks to the funding, with the best-available chosen.
Applicants who are selected for the catwalk must be able to take part in the shows on May 4 and 5 at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen.
To apply or nominate a friend or family member, contact Friends of ANCHOR’s fundraising team on 01224 859170 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..