Ellon mum to take on charity catwalk

An Ellon woman will make her model debut at the Friends of ANCHOR fundraiser Courage on the Catwalk next month.

Aileen Rennie will strut her stuff on the catwalk for Friends of ANCHOR next month

Aileen Rennie will join 23 other women who have all faced the reality of a cancer diagnosis - both past and present.

Aileen was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2006 and faced six weeks of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.

The married mum-of-one received treatment within the ANCHOR Unit at ARI and is full of kind words for care she received.

She said: “The nurses were exceptional and always had a smile on their faces, which made the experience a whole lot better.”

The treatment Aileen went through took a toll on her self-confidence but, by taking part in Courage on the Catwalk, the she hopes to show people that it is possible to rebuild your self-esteem and enjoy life after a cancer diagnosis.

Aileen added: “I have tried to live each day as it comes, as you never know what the future holds, so my motto is to enjoy life and do the things that make you happy. It would be an honour to show others that 13 years down the line there is life after a cancer diagnosis.”

Unfortunately, Aileen’s experience of cancer is not the only time it has struck her family. In 2006 her husband Billy was diagnosed with prostate and soft tissue cancer.

“It was a tough year, but it brought us as a family a lot closer, with each one of us wanting to be there for the others,” she said.

Sarah-Jane Hogg, Fundraising and Development Director at Friends of ANCHOR said: “We have so enjoyed getting to know Aileen during weekly rehearsals and we can’t wait to see her newfound confidence blossom on the catwalk. Courage is all about celebrating everything the strength and resilience of our models and Aileen has that in spades.”

To book tickets for the evening performance on Sunday, May 12 or hear more information on how you can support the event with a raffle prize or donation call 01224 859170.