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Loss of mum inspires beauty queen Rebecca
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| Miss Aire Valley Rebecca Geldard, pictured with Miss England Georgia Horsley, is raising money for research into cancer |
A beauty-pageant competitor has decided to use her position to raise awareness of the disease which killed her mother.
Rebecca Geldard, 20, from Riddlesden, lost her mother to cervical cancer when she was just three years old.
Now Rebecca, who was crowned "Miss Aire Valley" in the Miss England Competition 2008, has decided to raise money to prevent more people dying from cancer.
She said: "I have always wanted to do something in memory of my mother and this money will go towards the Walk With Cancer campaign, as part of The Institute of Cancer Research.
"My mother would have been proud to know I am trying to raise money and awareness for cancer.
"Even though this is not a specifically cervical cancer charity, I can relate to this due to my family history. Therefore, I have a strong focus and determination for fundraising."
The psychology student is already a part-time model and plans to raise money for the competition's designated charity by offering to do events for businesses if they donate money in return. The fundraising will take place in the run up to the Miss England 2008 semi-finals, in Leicester, on June 16 and 17.
In the competition, Rebecca will have to perform well in three separate heats if she is to gain a place in the televised London finals.
The first round is a swimsuit competition, the second a talent show - when Rebecca will play the flute - and in the third judges will grill her in an interview.
However, if Miss Geldard raises the most money for Walk With Cancer, she will be automatically fastracked to the finals.
Recently she met the current Miss England to prepare her for the challenge.
Rebecca said: "We discussed what the day would be like and she gave me tips. She told me just to have fun and make as many friends as I can.
"I am extremely nervous about the semi-final but I am also very excited. It would mean so much if I got through to the final."
To help Rebecca fundraise for Walk With Cancer, or if businesses would like her to do promotional work in return for a donation, email just_been_tangoed@
hotmail.com.
9:29am Friday 16th May 2008
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