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Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Emily Findlay's cancer journey, and her 'incredible' family and friends who rallied in hardest times
Emily Findlay still remembers her teenage years in Orkney when it seemed that everybody across the island was helping her through her cancer journey. After being diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 14, the youngster from Orphir was forced to endure years of gruelling treatment, but she has never had to do it alone. Right from the outset, her family and friends were with her on every step of a marathon trek as she travelled to Aberdeen for treatment and eventually settled in the city. Emily is now 29 and plans to get married to her partner, Mark, next September. In the intervening period, she has become one of the region's most inspirational characters. She took part in Courage on the Catwalk for Friends of Anchor and worked assiduously for the Archie Foundation and Befriend a Child. She has organised supercar days out for families who have either a child or parent with a chronic or terminal illness. And she even baked cookies to boost the charity coffers in the middle of lockdown. Having witnessed the impact and importance of the third sector in her adopted city, Emily is now in charge of organising the Celebrate Aberdeen parade in August. She insists that none of this would have happened without the support of her parents, Michelle and Clinton, and her little brother, Max. But that's only the start of her list. There are also the myriad doctors, nurses and medical staff whose expertise was – and remains – invaluable in guiding her through the toughest days. And the friends she made during her early life and after her relocation to Aberdeen. Emily told me: 'I loved growing up in Orkney, it gave me such an incredible childhood. 'When I was younger, I was barely in the house at the weekends and during the school holidays, I was always out playing with friends. 'I also spent a lot of my childhood travelling around the outer islands, and spent a lot of summers in Westray, which I absolutely adored. 'The scenery, the beaches, the walks and the wildlife are amazing there. 'I especially loved watching the puffins on our after-dinner walks. The Orkney community is so incredible, they rallied around me and my family when I was unwell. 'When I relapsed for the first time, [local artist and businesswoman] Sheila Fleet decided she wanted to design a range of jewellery where a percentage of the profits would go to a fund to support me if I needed treatment abroad. 'It was incredible how well supported the collection was, and every teen/young woman in Orkney had a Daisy for Emily. It was really special. 'That collection is now called Daises at Dawn and has raised money for numerous charities. I still have friends in Orkney, they are all wonderful people, and I wish that I got to see them more.' Emily is pragmatic about her health situation. It can be fragile and, in her case, there are no guarantees her illness will not return. Scans and tests are part of her existence. Yet, as she maintains, there is no value in sitting around, waiting for bad news to arrive, as if you have prematurely checked into life's departure lounge. And, as you might anticipate from this vivacious force of nature, she is offering 100% commitment to her task of saluting the city's voluntary organisations this summer. She said: 'Celebrate Aberdeen [on August 23] means so much to me and our team. 'It's all about bringing our community together and shining a light on the amazing work done by third sector organisations and volunteers across the city. 'With everything getting more expensive and funding and corporate support harder to come by, it's more important than ever to support these organisations. 'The event gives them the opportunity to be celebrated, to feel the support of the crowds lining the streets, and be part of something truly special. 'Both the parade and the Celebrate Aberdeen awards remind us how important these organisations are to the people of Aberdeen – in fact, they are the heart of Aberdeen. 'I love it when charities work together and we have so many instances of cross organisational working, such as the Fairer Aberdeen Fund. 'It's amazing what we can achieve when we work together. That's what Celebrate Aberdeen is all about; people coming together, cheering each other on, and showing just how much we can achieve when we work as one.' You wouldn't guess from meeting her that Emily has been seriously ill for half of her life. But when she embarks on a new challenge, she pours her heart and soul into it. That's one of the reasons why she was honoured with a BEM when she was just 22 in 2018. As she told me: 'I have met so many amazing people down the years.' And they mean the world to her. She said: 'My family, my friends and my fiance are so important to me. Luckily, my mum and dad and my brother visit Aberdeen very regularly, so I see them often. 'My friends are the most incredible group of people, they have rallied around me during the hardest times, and I am so so grateful for them. 'My four bridesmaids – Ceilidh, Adele, Rachael and Breige – are just utterly amazing and I don't know what I would do without them. 'I met them all at different stages in my life, but they are all so special to me. 'My friends' children also mean the world to me, I love being fun Auntie Emily, our 'Auntie Chi Chi' as Rachael's daughter calls me. 'I can't put into words how special it is to be in their lives. 'Last but certainly not least is my fiance, Mark, he is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me and I can't wait to get married to him. 'But I am going to stop there before I get too gushy.' Her music tastes are more Taylor Swift than Tin Pan Alley, so it's unlikely that Emily has any Bing Crosby CDs lurking in her collection. Yet, whenever I talk to her, I'm reminded of one of the old White Christmas crooner's collaborations with The Andrews Sisters. The lyrics run: 'You got to accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative, And latch on to the affirmative, Don't mess with Mr Inbetween.' That is Emily Findlay in a nutshell. Further information about Celebrate Aberdeen can be found at their website Meet the 3 generations of Harray Potters casting their spell on Orkney Michies Pharmacy: Meet the family behind the iconic chemist Misty Isle Boat Trips: The multi-generational Skye family business, ages 11 to 75
Press and Journal
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Courage on the Catwalk brings sass, shine and an unforgettable wig toss to P&J Live
Courage on the Catwalk lit up P&J Live on Saturday night – but nothing drew a bigger cheer than the moment a cancer wig sailed through the air. The hairpiece toss, from 34-year-old Kelly Butler from Countesswells in Aberdeen, was completely unscripted. But it perfectly captured the spirit of Courage as Kelly, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma last August, turned a symbol of her illness into one of defiance. 'We didn't know she was going to do that,' laughed fellow model Jovi Fawcett, 26, from Seaton. 'She kept that quiet.' Every year, the show takes a diverse group of north-east women, each with a personal experience of cancer, and turns them into runway models for the evening. It also has an uncanny ability to make them see their cancer in a different light – and, like Kelly, confront it head-on. On Saturday night, it was the class of 2025's turn. Over the course of five hours and three runway 'walkdowns', the 23 women dazzled a high-energy audience with glitzy outfits, perfectly timed choreography – and more than a few surprise dance moves. Months of rehearsals paid off as the models stepped into the spotlight to cheers from more than 900 friends, family and the ever-enthusiastic Friends of Anchor 'Red Army' volunteers. And at the end of the evening, organisers revealed the night had raised an amazing £118,000. The money will go towards cancer and haematology support in the north-east, including at Friends of Anchor's Anchor Unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the FoA-funded Anchor Centre, due to open next year. It will be added to the amount raised at Brave, the men's edition, held on Thursday and Friday. And more cash will come on Sunday night, when the models return to P&J Live for a second and final show. But as Kelly and her cancer wig showed, Courage isn't just about the money. After the show, an exhausted yet beaming class of 2025 spoke about what the experience had meant for their own journeys. 'I'm so honoured to have been chosen to do it,' said Mhairi Anderson, a 51-year-old mum of two from Dyce who was diagnosed last year with stage 3 renal cancer. 'It's been the best thing I've ever, ever done.' Mhairi said the atmosphere backstage had been 'amazing' and the women couldn't wait to get out on stage. 'We just wanted to do it,' she said. 'We wanted to make everybody in the room so proud of us.' Husband Russell and daughters Leah and Niamh, who were cheering her on in the crowd, said they were in awe of her confidence and swagger. 'My heart has been bursting all night,' said Leah, 25. 'It's so special to see her have her shine back. She lost it for so long, but it all came back tonight.' Lisa Wilke, a 43-year-old breast cancer survivor from Portlethen, said: 'I'm high on adrenaline – I'm just loving life. This group of people are just phenomenal.' Lisa also praised the Friends of Anchor staff and organisers. 'The hard work that goes in behind the scenes is just ridiculous,' she said. 'It's above and beyond.' Lisa's husband Barry, meanwhile, singled out the wig throw as a standout moment. 'It was an unbelievable part of the night,' he said. Amid the celebrations, there was also a moment of reflection – and a reminder of the toll cancer can take. Courage 2025 model Lynn Staite, who died ahead of this weekend's shows, was honoured with a standing ovation from the audience. 'That will mean the world to her family,' said Friends of Anchor host Erica Banks. 'She was a truly remarkable woman.' Writing in the event programme, Lynn's son Andy described her as 'an extremely loving and outgoing person' who, as a drama lecturer, loved the arts and being on stage. 'Being the drama queen that she was,' he wrote, 'she couldn't wait for Courage on the Catwalk to get back on that stage, for one more chance to feel like her old self again. 'We will miss her every day.' Applications to take part in Courage and its male equivalent, Brave, next year are now open. Click here to apply. 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 Remembering Lynn Staite 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
Press and Journal
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Gallery: All the best pictures from Brave 2025 at P&J Live
From Panama hats to high kicks, Brave 2025 had it all. Held at Aberdeen's P&J Live, this year's show brought together 24 men with one thing in common — each has faced a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis, and each took to the catwalk to celebrate just how far they've come. And because Brave is no ordinary fashion show, the men displayed their endurance not with the usual smooth catwalk moves but with unfiltered enthusiasm that flowed off the stage and into the audience. There were twirls, twists and even a few kung-fu-style kicks from the nights youngest performer, 22-year-old Euan Smith, a former lymphoma patient and Korean martial arts practitioner. Months of rehearsals and fittings had built up to this one night. Backstage footage shown to the audience revealed their was as much fun taking place behind the scenes as one stage, and the camaraderie was palpable. The men sometimes danced down the runway on their own, sometimes together, linking arms and raising fists in triumph. 'There is a huge difference playing to an empty house [during rehearsals] compared to a full crowd,' said 51-year-old music teacher Owen Somervillve, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023. 'I'm exhausted but so happy.' By the end of the evening, more than £80,000 had been raised to support cancer patients in the north-east. Organisers hailed the event as a huge success. 'Aberdeen is so generous,' said Friends of Anchor's proud chairman, Sir Jim Milne. 'And I include all the country quines and loons as well.' The gallery below captures some of the highlights from the night, from the tears to the triumphs. To read a review of Brave 2025, click here. Applications to take part in Brave and Courage next year are now open. Click here to apply.
Press and Journal
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Brave raises £80,000 as cancer survivors take centre stage at P&J Live
There were tears, joy and more than a few standing ovations as Brave returned to the catwalk at P&J Live on Thursday night. A packed-out crowd roared with pride as 24 men – each with lived experience of cancer or a blood disorder – strutted their stuff in the annual fundraiser for Aberdeen-based cancer support charity Friends of Anchor. And at the end of the evening, organisers revealed the night had raised a staggering £80,000. Ranging in age from 22 to 80, the line-up had spent the past three months rehearsing for their moment in the spotlight. The men took part in three catwalk appearances – casual, formal and kilted – cheered to the rafters by friends and family. And because Brave is no ordinary fashion show, instead of polished runway models the audience got real north-east characters putting their heart and soul into an unforgettable evening. On the opening walkdown, Abbey George, 53, an offshore worker from Danestone who went through prostate cancer, disco danced his way along the runway, a huge smile on his face. Close behind was Steve McLenan, a 57-year-old plumber from Bucksburn, doing a soft-shoe shuffle and proudly showing off the stoma bag he's had since his bowel cancer diagnosis two years ago. And the audience went wild for Ali Michie, 68, a leukaemia survivor from Ellon, who wore a pair of boxing gloves round his neck in a nod to his sporting past. This year's event – Brave's second appearance at P&J Live since relocating from the Aberdeen Beach Ballroom – also featured a special walk-on part for NHS Grampian staff, who modelled Friends of Anchor merchandise. It was a reminder of the ties between NHS Grampian and Friends of Anchor, which is building the long-awaited Anchor Centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to help support cancer patients. The unit has faced delays and was originally due for completion in 2020, with the latest reports suggesting March 2026. Appearing on stage at P&J Live, NHS Grampian interim chief executive Adam Coldwells said the Anchor Centre 'will open very soon'. Friends of Anchor chief executive Sarah-Jane Hogg added the unit is now within 'touching distance'. 'The day it opens… it is going to be immense for Aberdeen,' she said. The Brave models later returned to the stage for a Bond-themed walkdown, complete with tuxedos – and a couple of cheekily stashed water pistols – before the finale in kilts. Leukaemia patient Justin Martin, 36, had the crowd on its feet as he kept returning for one last bow. Afterwards, the exhausted but elated models reflected on what the evening meant to them. 'Brilliant,' said Owen Somerville, 51, from Newtonhill, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023. 'It was amazing. What a feeling.' Standing beside his wife Kate, Allen Shaw from Cults said he'd been nervous in the days leading up to the show. 'But I woke up this morning and thought, yes, today's the day – so I kind of peaked at the right moment,' said the 52-year-old, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 'It's been fantastic, and great to see this huge number of supporters.' Kate added: 'When Allen went through his cancer, it was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. But to see him up on stage makes me so proud.' All the funds raised will go towards cancer and haematology support. More money is expected to be added on Friday as the Brave models return for one more night. Then on Saturday and Sunday it's the women's turn as Courage on the Catwalk – Brave's sister event – begins. More than 20 female models will take part in this year's Courage. Albert 'Abbey' George, 53, Danestone Alistair Michie, 68, Ellon Allen Shaw, 52, Cults Andy Colman, 56, Portlethen Barry Wilson, 67, Westhill Billy Stuart, 78, Peterculter Colin Soulsby, 67, West End Doug Farquhar, 42, Chapelton Doug Strachan, 59, Skene Euan Russell, 22, Bucksburn Gareth Dunnett, 59, Midstocket Gordon Wilson, 60, Northfield Jim Cumming, 64, Strichen Jim Main, 75, Bridge of Don Jim Milton, 80, Hilton John Simpson, 77, Rosehill Justin Martin, 36, Cove Kieran Smith, 24, Banff Owen Somerville, 51, Newtonhill Peter Jones, 62, Hazlehead Steve McLenan, 56, Bucksburn Steven Gresham, 54, Fraserburgh Tommy Neilson, 63, Fraserburgh
Press and Journal
07-05-2025
- Health
- Press and Journal
Brave and Courage return: 48 cancer survivors join the north-east's most inspiring club
This week at P&J Live in Aberdeen, 24 men and 24 women from across the north-east will join a very special club. Over four nights — the men on Thursday and Friday and the women on Saturday and Sunday — they will take to the stage for the pair of annual fundraising fashion shows organised by Aberdeen cancer charity Friends of Anchor. The club already has hundreds of members. Brave, which is the men's show, began in 2017, while the women's edition, Courage on the Catwalk, started even earlier in 2013. But membership to this exclusive set comes at a price. To gain admission, you need to have had a cancer diagnosis. 'It's a thank you,' explains Allen Shaw, 52, from Cults, who is part of this year's Brave show. 'It's for my wife, my daughters, my friends — the people who held everything together when I couldn't.' From Beach Ballroom to P&J Live Brave and Courage on the Catwalk are now among the most high-profile charity events in the north-east calendar. What began as a modest fundraiser at Aberdeen's Beach Ballroom has grown into a major production at P&J Live, with lights, music, choreography and an audience of more than 1,000 at each show. Courage on the Catwalk at P&J Live last year. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson Last year alone, the events raised £360,000 for Friends of Anchor, helping to fund cancer research, improve patient wellbeing and support clinical care across the north-east. Allen is typical of the people who take part in Brave and Courage — each with a story that's entirely their own, yet united by their determination to face cancer head-on. An inspector with the Scottish Police Federation, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2022 after he experienced numbness in his fingers and severe back pain, symptoms he initially chalked up to age and his rugby-playing days. Scans revealed a shadow on his lung. At first, doctors suspected lung cancer and Allen and his wife Kate, a specialist breast cancer nurse practitioner, were told it could be terminal. Allen Shaw at home in Cults. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson 'That moment… we genuinely thought I might have six months left,' he says. 'I was lying on the sofa, unable to walk, doing flashcards with my daughter while she studied for exams. We didn't tell our girls for weeks. I didn't want to distract them or scare them.' What Courage and Brave do for their stars Now in remission after six months of chemotherapy, Allen says taking part in Brave has been a hugely positive part of his recovery. He's embraced the experience wholeheartedly, from the loud group chats with his fellow Brave models to choosing a pink-accented suit that he jokes makes him look 'like the man from Del Monte.' 'The camaraderie is amazing. We're all different – some of the guys are in remission, some are still undergoing treatment, some are palliative – but we get each other. You don't have to explain what you've been through.' The stars of Brave 2024 at the P&J Live last May. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson And when he steps out on stage on Thursday night, a newly-minted member of the Brave and Courage club, he'll be surrounded by people who know exactly how he feels. 'On the night, when we're doing it, it'll be, 'We're here, boys, we've done it',' he says. 'We've come together and we've made it.' Applications to take part in Brave and Courage next year are now open. Click here to register your interest.
