A great-grandad who spent his weeks of radiotherapy treatment winding up his nurses says they’ve had the last laugh – by persuading him to sign up for a charity fashion show.
John Simpson underwent 32 sessions of radiotherapy in six weeks after being diagnosed with throat cancer last spring.
During his treatment, he distracted himself by joking and teasing the nurses in the radiotherapy unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. And now, two of the research nurses, Heather and Joanna, have achieved the “ultimate payback” – by convincing him to apply for Friends of ANCHOR’s Brave.
Mr Simpson is one of 24 local men selected to take part in the once-in-a-lifetime show, which celebrates those who have been through, or are going through, a cancer or haematology diagnosis.
The men, who are aged 22 to 87 and come from right across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire – including Fraserburgh, Strichen, Danestone and Newtonhill - will take to the catwalk at P&J Live in May.
The group met for the first time this week, and immediately began swapping stories about their diagnosis and making jokes about their dancing skills. They also heard from two of last year’s models, who shared more about what they can expect in the countdown to the shows.
Mr Simpson, from the Rosehill area of Aberdeen, was immediately struck by the camaraderie among the group and is looking forward to getting to know his fellow catwalk stars as they go through six weeks of rehearsals, with a social dinner, clothes fittings and photoshoots on the cards too.
John Simpson
Admitting he can be a “bit of a show-off at times”, the 77-year-old said: “I think the 24 of us are pretty Brave for putting ourselves forward in the first place. I’m looking forward to it – it’s a way of giving back to Friends of ANCHOR too.
“My wife died of lung cancer 14 years ago, and she benefitted a lot from both Friends of ANCHOR and CLAN. She’ll be sat up there cheering me on.”
Mr Simpson’s family, including son Steven and grandchildren Katie and Sophie, are looking forward to seeing him take to the catwalk. They rallied together to look after him during his treatment – and were the ones to raise the alarm when he first took unwell.
“I had gone up to Fochabers on March 24 last year for my great-granddaughter’s first birthday,” Mr Simpson said. “I didn’t feel very well, my neck was all swollen. I went for a lie down and unbeknown to me, Katie and Steven called G-Docs.
“I was called down to see someone when I got back to Aberdeen that evening, and a week later I was told I had a growth in my throat. Within two weeks of that first call to G-Docs, I had started radiotherapy.
“I brought my grandchildren up, and when I got ill they really stepped up to look after me. Katie came down from Fochabers to look after me and my granddaughter Sophie, who lives with me. I’m not a good hospital patient, but it was them that kept my spirits up and wouldn’t let me get too down. They’re now really looking forward to seeing me take part in Brave.”
Brave takes place on May 8 and 9 at P&J Live, and tables of 10 are still available.
Sarah-Jane Hogg, chief executive at Friends of ANCHOR, said: “The Brave shows always have an electric, fun atmosphere as the gents really throw themselves into it, cheered on by their loved ones as they step out onto the catwalk.
“Former models often refer to the ‘brotherhood’ that’s formed during the Brave experience, and we can’t wait to see this year’s group form those friendships as they enjoy social meet-ups and rehearsals together.”
For tickets to Brave, visit https://friendsofanchor.org/index.php/events/brave
The full Brave 2025 line up is:
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Albert ‘Abbey’ George
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53
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Danestone, Aberdeen
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Alistair Michie
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68
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Ellon
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Allen Shaw
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52
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Cults
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Andrew Parr
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36
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Glasgow/Inverurie
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Andy Colman
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56
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Portlethen
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Barry Wilson
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67
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Westhill
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Billy Stuart
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78
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Peterculter
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Colin Soulsby
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67
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West End
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Dan Bennett
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42
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City centre
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Doug Farquhar
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42
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Chapelton
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Doug Strachan
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59
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Skene
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Euan Russell
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22
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Bucksburn, Aberdeen
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Gareth Dunnett
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59
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Midstocket, Aberdeen
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Gordon Wilson
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60
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Northfield, Aberdeen
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Jim Cumming
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64
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Strichen
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Jim Main
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75
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Bridge of Don
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Jim Milton
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80
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Hilton, Aberdeen
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John Simpson
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77
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Rosehill, Aberdeen
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Justin Martin
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36
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Cove, Aberdeen
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Owen Somerville
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51
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Newtonhill
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Peter Jones
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62
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Hazlehead, Aberdeen
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Steve McLenan
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56
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Bucksburn, Aberdeen
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Steven Gresham
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54
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Fraserburgh
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Tommy Neilson
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63
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Fraserburgh
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