Brave models get kit off for fundraising cancer calendar.

EIGHTY brave models have stripped for a charity calendar. Cancer Support Scotland have enlisted men and women who have beaten the disease or lost a loved one. Proceeds will help build a drop-in centre at Glasgow's Gartnavel General Hospital.

Photographer Christina Wright came up with the calendar idea, which has raised pounds 20,000. She said: "When people realised it was not all size six models, everyone got their kit off." Here, Jayne Savva talks to two courageous volunteers.

DIANE Primrose, 22, a PR account executive from Glasgow, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2004.

I woke up one morning with a sore neck. I just thought I'd slept funny but it was swollen.

'That Saturday my dad took me to Glasgow's Western Infirmary and they referred me to the ear, nose and throat clinic, who did a biopsy.

Three weeks later, just after my 17th birthday, I went for my results. I thought it was a fuss about nothing but the consultant asked me to get my mum from the waiting room.

She told us I had Hodgkin's but I didn't know what it was until she mentioned chemo.

Afterwards my mum and I walked to my gran's, holding hands. My mum was crying.

I had my highers to do in June and the day after my last exam I started treatment. Three months of chemo - a session every two weeks.

I lost most of my hair but I still had a few strands I liked to straighten.

I lost most of my school pals too. I didn't want to talk about boys and make-up - there were bigger things going on in my life.

After the chemo I had another scan before the radiotherapy could start. It showed I still had active cancer cells and they told me I'd have to start the treatment all over again. I was so angry I punched the radiator at home.

I was accepted into Glasgow Caledonian University so I'd get the bus to hospital in the morning and give my blood, then do a full day at uni before coming back for my chemo.

I didn't miss classes and I even passed my driving test during that time. I finished treatment in January 2005.

I still go back for check-ups and I need to start breast screening five years from the date of diagnosis because I'm at higher risk.

I want to help. There's more fun and upbeat ways to raise money now such as the calendar and I took part in a fashion show last year.

.For more information or to buy a copy of the calendar, priced pounds 5, phone [phone] or log onto www.cancersupportscotland.org. '

SHAUN McGarrigle, 28, from Glasgow, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1999. I'd had a sore head and double vision for three weeks so I went tomyGPwhogavemepainkillers. My biggest fear then was that I might need glasses. One night I was in the pub and the writing on the menu board started swirling round. I thought someone had spiked my drink. Next morning I was violently sick somyparents tookmeto casualty. I was sent to Gartnavel then the Southern General Hospital for tests. I was lying in a wee room while my mum went for coffee when the doctor said, 'You have a growth in your brain'.

He said if I didn't have the fluid drained frommybrain within two hours, I could die. The tumour was too deep to be removed. I had chemo but, even though the cancer cells were destroyed, the tumour kept growing. The doctors said they had to remove the growth or I'd die. They said I might survive but told me I might be disabled and lose my memory. I was terrified. The op took 23 hours. I was in the Southern General for a month and the Western Infirmary for four months where I had to learn to walk and talk again.

I am partially blind and have long-term balance and memory problems but I'm alive. I go back every year for a scan. I can't work but I'm a volunteer with ConTAK Scotland, which provides support for young people with cancer. I met my wife Linda in 2001 at a brain injuries unit. Doctors said there was only a one per cent chance I could father a child but in 2002 my son Jack was born. Cancer changed my life for the better as I met Linda and had Jack. Before I was shy but I think almost dying at 18 has made me more positive and confident. I even strip for calendars. ?Formoredetails onConTAK Scotland, call 0141 227 6764.

CAPTION(S):

Dressing down: Diane, far left, enjoys shoot with other models for the cancer charity Body builders: Shaun, far right, says cancer made his life better