CATWALK HEROES; Meet the 20 courageous models set to be stars at cancer fundraiser.

HERE are the supermodels who will take to the catwalk in Breast Cancer Care Scotland's fund-raising fashion show.

We have teachers, air hostesses, taxi drivers and even soldiers from across the length and breadth of Scotland.

Their ages span seven decades - from 28-year-old Nichola Smith to 81-year-old Effie Halliday.

But they have all battled breast cancer - and they cannot wait to get up on the catwalk and show the world the disease did not beat them.

We asked for models to take part in the lunchtime and evening shows and we were inundated with applications from brave men and women, every one of whom deserved a place.

In the end, this lucky 20 were selected by Breast Cancer Care Scotland and they hope to help raise more than pounds 200,000 for the charity when they make their runway debut at Glasgow's Thistle Hotel on September 24..

IT'S SHOWTIME Breast Cancer Care Scotland's annual fashion shows are at the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow on Thursday, September 24 with VIP hosts and star guests.

Tickets go on sale 9am tomorrow. Call Breast Cancer Care Scotland on 0141 353 8330.

. Find out about the charity at www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call 0808 800 6000..

Gordon Morrison, 66,

Carntyne, Glasgow The only symptoms retired taxi driver Gordon showed of illness were three tiny spots of blood on his sheets. Urged by his wife and daughter, both nurses, to see the doctor, he said: "I really only went to the doctor to keep the peace. Breast cancer was not a thought in my mind." Gordon had a mastectomy in December and said: "My experience has really made me aware of the need to inform men about breast cancer."

Anne Casserly, 48,

Larkhall, Lanarkshire Training executive Anne was 37 when she found a lump and was initially given the all clear. But further tests showed the single mum-of-two had early breast cancer. She said: "I prayed to be given 10 more years to look after my boys." Ten years on, Jamie, 23, runs a successful family business while Callum, 21, is an engineering technician - and a part-time model. She said: "He's giving me tips!"

Arlene Fenton, 43 Broughty Ferry, Dundee Arlene has been living with secondary breast cancer since being diagnosed with a tumour in her hip three years ago.

She has so far raised around pounds 35,000 for charity with the help of sons Craig, 12, and seven-year-old Mark, and husband Richard. She said: "I can't wait for the chance to show other women there is life after this illness."

Irene Gunn,70 Broughty Ferry, Dundee One of the original dancers from BBC's White Heather Club, Irene has always been fit and healthy. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and has since had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

The Radio Tay fitness coach said: "Breast cancer really made me wake up and smell the coffee."

Jessie Burrowes, 59 Tranent, East Lothian Legal secretary Jessie thought she'd left breast cancer behind her after successfully completing treatment for the disease in 1995.

Last July she found a lump in her other breast and doctors diagnosed cancer again, unrelated to the first tumour. Jessie hasn't let a second diagnosis hold her back. She said: "I didn't think I had a hope of being chosen for the show and I'm absolutely thrilled to be taking part."

Joy Malaly, 50 Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire Helpline volunteer Joy has spent her adult life trying to support other people through trauma. When she was hit with breast cancer in 2003, Joy turned to Breast Cancer Care Scotland for advice on coping while looking after three children.

She is now a peer support worker with the charity..

Karen Miller, 51 Cathcart, Glasgow As head of science in a busy high school, Karen has a workload that would daunt lesser women. She tackles it all, fitting 10km races, while being treated for secondary breast cancer.

Thankfully, the disease is now being controlled with Herceptin. She said: "I want to help raise money to help others."

Angela Paterson, 41 Renfrew After losing her mum to breast cancer, business manager Angela feared the disease would reach her too, a fear confirmed in 2005. Her daughter Sarah was just two when Angela had a mastectomy followed by chemo and radiotherapy. She said: "I'm four years in remission now but I'm laid back and I feel confident."

Nic Eas Nur diag thro stru hav stre Sh befo She chola Smith, 28 sterhouse, Glasgow rsery nurse Nichola was 26 when she was gnosed with breast cancer. Going ough a double mastectomy and reconuction surgery was a trauma that could e floored her but Nichola has found the ngth to get back on her feet.

he had a final operation just a week ore but looked stunning for our shoot.

said: "I'm getting my confidence back."

Donna Marie Lindsay, 28 Bothwell, Lanarkshire Losing her long hair to chemotherapy at the age of 27 was an ordeal for letting agent Donna but nothing dented her positive attitude as she battled through treatment.

She said: "I decided breast cancer was not going to stop me leading my life. It took 18 months but I'm putting it behind me."

Brian Young, 37 Falkirk Former soldier Brian was training to apply for a return to active duty when he found a lump in his breast. He said: "I have to admit the diagnosis was a bit of a shock."

Brian, who has served in Northern Ireland and Iraq, has since had a mastectomy and is looking forward to his debut as a model, saying: "My family say I'm a bit of a showoff anyway."

Irene McDermott, 52 Aberdeen Secretary Irene will be five years clear of breast cancer this December - and the mumof-two has booked the local social club for a huge family party.

She's even organising a collection for Breast Cancer Care Scotland.

She said: "I've got my femininity back since my reconstruction surgery."

Gillian Welsh, 45 Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire Air hostess Gillian was left reeling by two devastating blows within weeks in 2007. She was being treated for breast cancer when her son Christopher, then 17, fell ill.

While the mum-of-three went through chemo, he was treated for a rare liver problem. She said: "It taught me to make the most of every minute."

Anne Ross, 49 Ullapool, Wester Ross Mum-of-four Anne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. Rather than feel sorry for herself, she threw herself in caring for her youngest, nine-month-old David, and now runs 10k for Breast Cancer Care Scotland.

She said: "You must be brave because that's the only way you can face it."

Effie Halliday, 81 West Calder, West Lothian Retired legal secretary Effie was nursing husband George through prostate cancer when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

While she recovered from a mastectomy, she was more concerned with George, who passed away soon after.

She said: "I'm thrilled and honoured to be taking part in the show."

Maureen Armstrong, 53 Cardonald, Glasgow Receptionist Maureen has twice been diagnosed with breast cancer - once in 1995 then again last December.

The mum-of-two was devastated to find a lump under her arm last year. Doctors recommended a double mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery. Just four months on, Maureen looks and feels great again: "I'm upbeat and positive."

Karen Graham, 45 Carluke, Lanarkshire Credit agent Karen was diagnosed while her twoday-old son Shaun lay sleeping in his hospital crib. Successful IVF treatment had finally given her and partner Bobby the baby they longed for.

"It was as if someone gave me the world then pulled the rug from under my feet," said Karen.

But Shaun gave her the will to fight and she can't wait to celebrate on the catwalk five years on..

Julie Cannovan, 37 East Kilbride, Lanarkshire Admin assistant Julie was just 26 and three weeks into a new relationship when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She felt she had to give boyfriend Mark the chance to walk away before the treatment began.

Instead of walking, he proposed and nursed her through it. Three years ago, Julie gave birth to son Ross. She said: "We've been so lucky."

Gail Pirie, 45 Prestwick, Ayrshire Nurse Gail was so convinced the lump in her breast was nothing to worry about that the diagnosis of breast cancer knocked her for six.

The mum-of-one said: "It was like being hit in the stomach - then run over by a bus." The type of cancer she has is particularly resistant to treatment but she is determined to fight, saying: "You never know what's in store for you. You may as well go for it."

Christina Paterson, 67 Renfrew Retired travel agent Christina was so concerned about her family that she kept her cancer diagnosis to herself.

Only when the date for her surgery drew close did she reveal her secret.

Two years on and feeling great, Christina has no regrets. She said: "We're a strong family and I felt they needed my help at that time."

CAPTION(S):

Living life to the full: All the women and men with breast cancer and are determined to show n taking part in our catwalk show have been diagnosed w they're fighting back