A FRODSHAM girl who was bullied at school because of her looks is competing in the Miss Cheshire contest – and has just completed a 36 mile walk for charity.
Saoirse Curran has lived in Frodsham her whole life and says she loves the town.
With two hiking friends, Charlie Reader and Pete Warburton she has just walked the Sandstone Trail in a day, starting at Whitchurch at 6am and finishing in Frodsham at 8.30.
“We had walked 36 miles – which was two more than we expected,” she said.
“It was one of the hardest things I have ever put myself through, but it was all worth it to raise money for the charity One Woman at a Time”
The charity helps girls escape from female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriages and gender based violence.
Saoirse was bullied at school because of her appearance.
“I never really knew what it was like to receive a compliment and this led me to have very low self-esteem and not a lot of confidence.
“However, now in adulthood I have modelled on a magazine cover and taken part in Cheshire Fashion Week and London Fashion Week which has really increased my confidence.”
Now she loves singing – and often gets up to sing in Kash 22 in Frodsham.
She is also training at the University of Chester to become a teacher.
“I am so happy about this as I love teaching and I also want to make sure other children don’t have to endure what I did in school.
I am now competing in Miss Cheshire which is something I never thought I would be able to do as I would have never have thought I could be good enough to be in a beauty contest.
“But I was so impressed by how much this competition is measured on inner beauty rather than outer and there is a big emphasis on raising money for charity which is something very important to me.”
She has been collecting unused toiletries for the charity Elle for Elle, which provides domestic abuse victims with these products to give them some dignity after distress.
In addition, she has been doing embroidery for raise money for One Woman at a Time and has performed on a charity single entitled “Stronger Together” for the same charity.
But she sees her hike along the Sandstone Trail has the biggest thing she has done.
“I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the local Frodsham people and was very emotional at the end of the walk as people were clapping me to the finish at the obelisk outside the Bears Paw.
“I am so thankful for everyone’s support and want to thank the local councillors who came to congratulate me at the finish as well as the local MP Mike Amesbury who presented us with medals.”
To follow Saoirse’s Miss Cheshire journey and make a donation to the charity go to https://missmanchesterofficial.co.uk/portfolio/saoirse-curran/
To vote for her in the Miss Cheshire contest text: MISS CHESHIRE09 to 63333. Texts cost 50p