Firstly, i'd like to start by introducing myself. I'm Emma, I’m 24 years old. I’m currently running a local dance school for children in Bridgend, something i've dreamed of doing since I began dancing 13 years ago. I have grown up here and am a huge home girl!

After an absolutely horrendous start to my 2017, my confidence was at it's lowest. I lost interest in my passion of dance and everything I usually loved doing and felt huge pressure whilst studying for my final year at university.

I try to think of myself as a positive person and although I dwell on situations for months I will always pick myself up with the support of my family and friends. This is when I decided that it was time to focus on something new in life and begin a new adventure. Out with the old, in with the new.

I signed up and applied online for the Miss Wales 2018, it popped up on Facebook and I took on the attitude that 'I had nothing to lose, so why not, hey?'

Months later when i'd forgotten everything about it, I received an email congratulating me on making it through the application process and was invited to attend an interview at Cardiff Mercure Hotel! I jumped at the opportunity and was surprisingly selected as a 2018 finalist! I was thrilled!

The finals take place in April 2018, and in order to secure my place I need to raise £500 (plus vat) or partner up with a commercial sponsor (or private donations) to start my journey.

The fundraising has already begun for me and I’m absolutely delighted to have raised over £200 for the Beauty with a purpose charity! This goes 100% straight into the charity and it is just the beginning of my fundraising journey. For those who know me will know how competitive I am, and I will be on a personal mission to beat my expectations of how much I can actually raise for this charity!

Miss Wales has raised more than £500,000 for children’s charities since 2004 and part of my commitment as a finalist is to help fundraise between now and the final. All the funds I raise will go to the Miss World charity called Beauty With A Purpose.

I am ecstatic to be taking part in such a beautiful event, and absolutely delighted to be raising money for such a good cause. This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity and has already given me a huge sense of achievement. (As you can probably tell from the amount of pictures I keep posting online...sorry not sorry!)

The Miss Wales experience is not just about beauty, it’s about self-development, confidence building and becoming a role model... all whilst raising as much money for a truly inspirational charity. I couldn't think of anything better than to be helping improve the lives of others <3 Now I need your help, Donations big or small will be hugely appreciated!! Thank you so much for reading! Emma x x