A woman from Fife has been named as a finalist in this year’s Miss Scotland competition and is hoping to use the contest as a platform for her charity work.
Lucy Sophia Thomson will take to the stage on June 8 for the grand final in Glasgow, after months of preparation for the event.
The 20-year-old, from Crossfords, felt compelled to apply for the competition after spending four months at Camp America last summer.
She said: “The camp I was working at in Chicago shared its facilities with the disabilities camp.
“It was an overwhelming experience to be able to help, 24/7. Having this opportunity made me look at my own life and how much I had taken for granted.
“After I returned to Scotland, I decided to focus my fundraising efforts on Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). I thought that if I applied for Miss Scotland I’d be able to use it as a platform for my charity work.
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“When I found out that I had made it into the final I was at my job as a part-time lifeguard in Aberdeen I was so happy I literally burst into tears, then and there.”
In preparation for the final, participants take part in a series of challenges and the six entrants wh receive the most points will see these go towards their final overall score.
The challenges have included a photoshoot for the Troon-based Ayrshire Magazine and a visit to the Edinburgh-based Disney shop Ever Ever After, where the 18 girls will be dressing up as princesses and posing for pictures.
For the Aberdeen University student, the competition is more than just a pageant.
“When you tell someone you’re taking part in Miss Scotland, they make assumptions about it being a pageant, but it’s based around charity work,” she said.
“I’ve been involved in a series of charity events over the past few weeks, including running the 10K at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on May 25, and taking part in the Aberdeen Kiltwalk.
“It’s also important that the stigma surrounding it is lost. The girls I’m competing against are a diverse group and there is not one girl in it for the tiara which is so encouraging.
“No matter what happens, I’m definitely going to be continuing my work for charity. And if I win Miss Scotland I’d hold the title for one year and continue to the Miss World competition in Thailand at the end of this year.”
Also taking part in the competition is a former Angus girl who was born with a severe club foot, spina bifida and a leg length difference.
Lauren Macrae faced numerous operations at the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital to correct the condition and launching a fundraising programme last month as part of her Miss Scotland journey.
