A Montrose woman who appeared in a nude calendar for charity after her partner was diagnosed with a brain tumour is now preparing to run the London Marathon.
Carolyn Pierpont (32) has not stopped fund-raising since Mark Toshney (33) was floored by a brain cancer-related seizure at his work place nearly two years ago.
Having already been photographed naked, this year she is involved with the Neurofest music festival at Glenesk Park in Dundee, a black tie event and the small matter of running 26 miles around the capital.
The athletic couple’s lives were turned upside down after doctors revealed that Mark needed an operation to remove a malignant cancer oligodendroglioma.
Doctors at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary initially suspected he had meningitis, before it was discovered he had a “shadow” on the right frontal lobe of his brain which would require surgery.
“He carried on his life like anyone else would and during this kept a positive attitude throughout everything,” said Carolyn.
“He is an inspiration to those who have the same condition.”
Carolyn now focuses much of her energies on raising money for Brain Tumour UK.’Something to live for’She said, “Basically I have two objectives awareness and fund-raising.
“Currently brain tumours are on the rise, but this could be because in this day in age we have more means of communication such as TV, radio and the internet.
“The only problem is that the statistics provided are not entirely accurate.”
Originally from the Craigie area of Dundee, Mark graduated from Dundee University with a degree in engineering and is now back at work as a project manager.
The Dundee United fanatic witnessed the birth of his first child Aiden the day that the Arabs won the Scottish Cup last year, telling Carolyn, “I have something to live for now.”
Copies of the calendar, which was professionally designed and photographed for free by photographers with experience of the disease, can be purchased online for £10.
For further information or to make a donation visit JustGiving or Fighting Back @ Brain Tumours.