ELLWOOD resident Emily Kathleen will represent Gloucestershire at the Miss Glamour UK 2024/2025 finals.

Ms Kathleen is now stepping back into the pageant world after a 15-year hiatus, and her journey is one of resilience, hope, and community spirit.

In 2019, following a difficult relationship breakdown, she experienced homelessness alongside her then two-year-old son.

Now a successful business owner, she lives in a country home in Ellwood with her fiancé, their one-year-old daughter, and her now seven-year-old son.

As a Miss Glamour UK finalist, Ms Kathleen will be raising funds for Young Minds, a mental health charity that supports children and young people.

“My son has faced challenges regulating his emotions due to trauma from our past experiences,” she explained: “While Young Minds couldn’t provide the help he needed, they’ve supported so many families like us and deserve recognition for their incredible work.”

Ms Kathleen’s return to pageantry is deeply personal. Her last competition, Miss Teen Queen UK, was in 2009. She stepped away from the scene following the loss of her mother to breast cancer at just 38 years old.

“I feel like competing again is a little kiss to her,” she said: “She was always so supportive of my pageants and was my biggest advocate and cheerleader.”

As part of the competition, Ms Kathleen is seeking opportunities to make at least ten public appearances or attend community events before the grand final on Sunday, May 25.

Through her participation, Ms Kathleen hopes to inspire women across the Forest: “This is about showing women that no matter where you start, a brighter future is possible. I want to give back to the community that has supported me and my family.”

Residents can follow Ms Kathleen’s journey on her social media pages and support her fundraising efforts for Young Minds.