LATER LIVING EXPERT WINS AT LIFE AS SHE PREPARES FOR HER MODELING DEBUT AT CHARITY COURAGE ON THE CATWALK
EVENT AT P&J LIVE
Sharon Humphreys, Senior Later Living Advisor at the award-wining Brio Retirement Living development Landale Court in Chapelton, is embracing everything life has to offer after a traumatic battle following her oesophageal cancer diagnosis last year.
Thankfully now in remission, Sharon has battled with such courage it’s a fitting tribute that she has been chosen to model at Courage on the Catwalk – a fashion show event to be held at P&J Live later this month to raise vital funds for Friends of ANCHOR Aberdeen. This year’s models are women aged between 23 and 75, with each having been diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder at some point in their life. Friends of ANCHOR Aberdeen raises vital funds to make life more comfortable for cancer and haematology patients from Aberdeenshire, Orkney and Shetland.
Sharon’s courage saw her battle tirelessly to fight a large tumour which was discovered during an endoscopy. Diagnosed at stage two, Sharon was quickly fitted with a feeding tube which she found incredibly tough, followed by a gruelling treatment plan of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, prior to major surgery. It’s not been plain sailing for Sharon as she spent five days in ICU, began five rounds of immunotherapy, and was sadly admitted to hospital with pneumonia earlier this year.
Sharon explains: “After fighting so hard, the pneumonia was a real set-back, I was very poorly but wasn’t going to let it beat me! It was during this time, volunteers from Friends of ANCHOR helped keep my spirits up with invaluable visits from the team including complementary massage and therapist visits which certainly made my time in hospital that little more bearable.”
Sharon has spent the last few months enjoying the feeling of normality again – although catwalk rehearsals and enjoying hair and makeup sessions have been a little out of the ordinary! Sharon continues: “It’s been a magical whirlwind recently – not only am I embracing my loves of yoga, swimming and walking my dog from pre-diagnosis, I’ve been thrown into the world of fashion and I love it! There is a total of 30 models who were chosen from over 100, and the girls I’m walking the catwalk with are utterly inspirational and I cannot wait to strut my stuff beside each and every one of them. We’re so powerful together and I hope we raise as much money for Friends of ANCHOR as possible!”
Supported not only by her husband, three daughters, family and friends, but Sharon’s colleagues at Brio Retirement Living have been a pillar of strength for her too. Recently the team and homeowners at the Landale Court development in Chapelton have been fundraising and will continue to do so ahead of the show.
Jess Nicoll, National Sales and Marketing Manager for Brio, added: “At its heart, Landale Court is a place where people truly look out for one another, and Sharon’s journey has brought that to life. Colleagues, homeowners and friends have all rallied round her – raising funds, providing support, and we’ve booked a table to cheer Sharon on at Courage on the Catwalk too. It’s a real reflection of the community spirit here at Landale Court, where people come together and stand by each other when it matters most.”
A collection box is proudly displayed on the reception desk at Landale Court and anyone in the area or visiting the onsite Slate and Grain brasserie is encouraged to donate, and any amount they can spare is much appreciated.
Sharon concluded: “I’m in awe of the support and love I have received from my family, friends and colleagues, and to have our Brio homeowners kindly donating too is just so heart-warming. I am so thankful for every penny raised and I promise I’ll do my very best at Courage on the Catwalk – I am very excited!”
Sharon will be strutting her stuff at P&J Live on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May. Donations are being collected at Landale Court reception, Chapelton of Elsick, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. Sharon also has a Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sharon-humphreys-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
Landale Court is a vibrant 94-home development expertly designed for residents over the age of 55, offering those seeking a fulfilling retirement with an array of facilities including a neighbourhood green, fire pit den, quiet garden as well as The Hub – the social heartbeat of the community filled with a hobby room, club room and the Slate & Grain brasserie, bar and coffee lounge.
Phase 2 features a range of 1-bedroom cottages and 2 and 3-bedroom homes, each with their own gardens.
For more information on Landale Court visit https://www.brioretirement.co.uk/our-communities/landale-court-chapelton/ or phone 01569 730357.
