The Courage on the Catwalk 2026 line-up has been revealed – and one woman will be following in the footsteps of her husband who strutted on the catwalk just last year.
When Anne Jones, 66, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 shortly after her husband Peter was given his own cancer diagnosis, she says her sole focus was on getting better.
“It was a lot to take on but my thought process was to get through recovery and just get on with life” said Anne, who received surgery and five sessions of radiotherapy in the ANCHOR Unit: “I think because Peter was at the forefront of my mind, I knew I had to just get on with it for him.”
During her treatment, Anne and her husband quickly began to refer to the staff and volunteers in the ANCHOR Unit as the “ANCHOR Angels, because they just envelop you when you visit and they make you feel so special, considering you’re going through such an awful thing.”
Anne credits her sunrise runs at Aberdeen beach and her friends, colleagues and family for getting her through her treatment.
This year, Anne will be swapping places with her husband Peter, as it’s her turn to grace the catwalk while he watches on with pride. She will be joined by 29 other women who have all experienced a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis.
After 11 successful years of Courage on the Catwalk, Friends of ANCHOR has increased the number of models in the line-up from 24 to 30.
Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Hogg said: “It’s been two years since we moved from our beloved first home at the Beach Ballroom expanding into P&J Live.
“It was a move centred around giving even more model’s families and friends the chance to see their loved ones standing proud on stage.
“Now that we’re well-bedded into our new home, equipped with a dedicated team made up of Friends of ANCHOR staff and our event partner Premier Productions, who produce the show, it feels like the perfect time to open up this empowering, unforgettable experience to six more ladies.
“We can’t wait to watch the positive effects ripple through to their partners, children, parents, friends and communities too.”
The group, who are aged between 23 and 75, met for the first time on Monday with participants from all across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and even Shetland. They received a walk-around tour of the venue where they will make their catwalk debut in May and heard from two 2025 model alumni, who helped dampen any lingering nerves.
The cohort will soon be attending weekly rehearsals with Premier Productions, who will also be styling each model in attire from a selection of Aberdeen’s most loved retailers including TigerLilly, M&S, Mint Velvet and Perfect Bridal.
Stepping into P&J Live, Anne described her emotions as “very excited but quietly nervous. I was a little bit shocked when I received the call that I had been chosen as a model but overall, I am so chuffed.
“Everyone here has been told this dreadful news, so it’s nice to have the focus on us in a positive way and not all about cancer.”
Anne is now looking at the months ahead with the excitement of having her moment in the spotlight and regaining her sparkle: “I would say cancer has changed me slightly. Body image wise, I just don’t feel as confident. I’ve never been an overly confident person despite giving this air of confidence – but it’s definitely been hard.”
More than 65 women submitted an application to take part in this year’s event, with the panel deliberating for eight hours to select a diverse line-up representing various cancer types and women of all ages from across the region.
Courage on the Catwalk sold-out
Now in its 12th year, Courage on the Catwalk will take over P&J Live on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May for two sold-out shows. The event has raised more than £1.4 million since the first cohort of models graced the catwalk in 2013.
Friends of ANCHOR’s ‘brother’ event Brave will be taking place on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th, featuring 24 North-east men who have experienced a cancer or haematology diagnosis at some stage in their life – whether that’s now or in the past.
Tickets for Brave are on sale now.