A WORKINGTON woman is looking for sponsors to enable her to represent Cumbria in a national pageant.

Shania Wilson, 20, from Salterbeck, has secured the £100 entry fee from the Wheatsheaf Pub in Egremont to enter the Miss WorldClass contest, but she still needs sponsors that could assist her with her potential dress, hair, nails and fitness.

The UK-based pageant will be held in May 2021.

Shania said about the contest: “They are looking for spokeswomen who are passionate about local causes and can get messages across, but it’s very different from the Miss Cumbria and Miss Teen Great Britain that I have previously been involved with.”

Shania said that her platform will be her #grievingtogether campaign, which she started to let people know that they are not alone in grief after losing her mother Lynne Wilson when she died of a sudden heart attack, aged just 38.

Shania will also be an ambassador for the West Cumbria domestic and sexual abuse organisation the Freedom Project, where she is a volunteer.

“They are really good at offering counselling and helping people of all ages," she said. "It is a real experience to volunteer there.”

Last year Shania said she was disappointed that she had to drop out of the Miss Teen Great Britain contest due to mental health issues, but looks forward to being able to compete again.

She said that fundraising for the contest is optional, but she will be fundraising for the Freedom Project after all the support they have given her.

Shania added: “I’m happy that I have got the opportunity to enter this competition after having to drop out last year.”

After lockdown she is looking forward to being able to return to Carlisle University to continue her training as a primary school teacher and to get back to some normality.