How I’m saving the world — with a dress made from plastic
LONG gone are the days of just looking pretty in beauty contests. I am Miss South Yorkshire and at the Miss England finals next month, I will be reflecting my concerns about pollution in our seas by wearing a dress I have made from plastic left as litter on my local beach. I come from a family with a proud tradition in the fishing industry. Grandad Bob started helping out on Grimsby Dock at the age of 13, following in the footsteps of his father. When he was old enough to go to sea, he worked on the boats before setting up his own business. His sons began as barrow boys before they in turn became fishermen. I grew up playing on the beach and became aware of the pollution in our oceans and how it is affecting sea life. I am committed to doing my part in helping to preserve our natural environment. For the eco round of the Miss England contest, which has the theme plastic ocean rescue, I have spent ten weeks collecting plastic bottles on the beach. Other people were inspired to do the same, and sometimes I would come home from work to find bags full of plastic bottles on my doorstep. My hope is that when people see my dress made from this plastic litter, they might stop and think the next time they’re having a picnic on the beach and consider what damage our throwaway society is causing to our seas. As well as my title of Miss South Yorkshire, I am Miss Charity after raising £1,000 in just a month. I am 21 and I have raised more than £10,000 for different charities in my home town. For my year as Miss South Yorkshire, I am supporting CLIC Sargent, the cancer charity for children and young people, and am doing my bit to raise funds by undertaking a 60-mile bike ride.
MILLIE MARGETTS, Cleethorpes, Lincs.