Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for visiting my JustGiving page!

As you’ve probably guessed by now if you’ve made it this far, this year I’m taking part in BRAVE 2024 to fundraise for the AMAZING organisation that is Friends of ANCHOR; and I’d be incredibly grateful if you could spare even the smallest donation to support this incredible event. All of Friends of ANHOR’s admin costs are covered by local company Balmoral Group, so you can rest assured that 100% of your donation will go towards doing great work!

At 18 years old – in 2017 – I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma within my sinus cavity. My tumour was wrapped around the nerve for my right eye, and extended to within a few millimetres of my brain. Within a period of 6 months that seemed like the blink of an eye, I underwent 3 rounds of day-case chemotherapy, 8 rounds of intense in-patient chemotherapy, and 6½ weeks of radiotherapy in Aberdeen; as well as a close shave with Sepsis. Later - in February 2018 - I was sent to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for major surgery, resulting in the loss of my right eye, cheekbone, upper-right jaw, and upper-right teeth; significantly altering my appearance and leaving me with a ‘visible difference’. Thankfully, and very unexpectedly, I received the ‘all-clear’ in March 2018 and have now been cancer-free for almost 6 years.

The last 6 years of trying to adapt to this new version of life I found myself being thrust into have been incredibly tough, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve struggled greatly with my self-confidence and mental health during this time. That said, I’ve also returned to university to finish my Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering – graduating summer 2023 – and I’m now pursuing my passion for stand-up comedy. The reality is that none of this would have been possible if not for the amazing people at Friends of ANCHOR who played such a huge role in my treatment; never failing to bring light into what was a very dark and gruelling time.

Now, almost 6 years on from getting the all-clear, I finally feel ready to move on from cancer, get back to enjoying life, and start learning to accept and love this ‘new’ version of myself. Hitting the catwalk at the P&J Live as part of Brave 2024 alongside my 23, new-found Brave Brothers seems like the perfect way to start this next chapter, while also giving something back to some of the real-life superheroes who made sure I got the most unlikely of second chances at life.

So it’s for that reason that I’d be so grateful if you could donate whatever you can towards this amazing cause that’s so close to my heart. If you’ve not heard of Friends of ANCHOR, or are unaware of the incredible difference they make to those facing cancer in the north-east of Scotland, please go and check them out! I can say from personal experience that each and every penny donated will make a huge difference to those who benefit from the outstanding work that Friends of ANCHOR do.

Lastly, I just want to say a huge thank you to each and every single person that made it possible for me to be here today; it honestly means more than I can ever say.

I Fought Cancer. Cancer Lost. Now let’s raise as much money as we possibly can so that others facing this horrible disease can someday say the same!

Hope to see some of you at Brave on the 16th & 17th of May!

Big Love,

Aiden