DEBBIE’S FINALIST IN GB PAGEANT
Teacher Debbie in Ms Great Britain final
A TEACHER is gearing up to take part in a very special competition – the Ms Great Britain pageant.
Last year, the event introduced the contest for women over the age of 28.
Debbie-louise Bates, from Kidsgrove, entered in January but didn’t expect to hear anything back but now she’s a finalist.
The 38-year-old is an English specialist at Congleton High School and a keen fundraiser for good causes such as North Staffs Mind and Teenage Cancer Trust.
When she heard about the pageant, Debbie first thought of her sister. But she soon realised that the core of the pageant – which focuses on female empowerment and charity work – would be something she’d really enjoy.
“I just thought, ‘this is right up my sister’s street’, because she’s so confident. I sent it over to her and she was like, ‘what are you talking about? This is all about charity, it’s for you, you’ve got to apply.’
“The article was all about how the pageant is actively trying to change the beauty stigmas that were once attached to it.
“I’m a local girl and I really want to do well for Kidsgrove – I’ve had so much support already and I’m really grateful.”
As part of the competition, Debbie has been raising money for good causes – but charity work isn’t new to her.
Over the past year, she’s cooked meals for vulnerable people, delivered food in lockdown and volunteered at her local Covid-19 vaccination centre.
Debbie has also taken to the stage to perform a choreographed dance to This Is Me, from The Greatest Showman – and raised £9,000.
And on May 31, Debbie will be taking on the Three Peaks Challenge with fiancee Michael, to raise funds for Ms Great Britain’s two chosen charities, Cancer Research UK and Alex’s Wish.
She said: “I had kidney cancer in 2015. I was really lucky and they were able to remove it, and I didn’t need any further treatment.
“Since then Cancer Research UK has been quite close to my heart.
“Alex’s Wish charity aims to improve the lives of young boys with Muscular Duchenne Dystrophy. It’s a condition that affects one in every 3,500 boys and is 100 per cent fatal.
“I’m really looking forward to raising money for both charities.”
Debbie is also an ambassador for national charity Girls Out Loud, who work to empower teenage girls and raise their confidence.
Debbie said: “I could ask some of the girls I teach what they like about themselves, and they wouldn’t be able to find one thing. I think there does need to be a bit more of an education about how girls talk about and see themselves.”
Debbie says she’s both nervous and excited to take part in the competition – which is due to be held in Leicester in September. She said: “I do feel more excited than nervous, purely because of the camaraderie I’ve already
experienced through meeting other finalists online.
“It’s such an exciting thing to do and I really want to make my family and friends proud.”