A YOUNG woman whose dream it is to find a cure for some of life’s killer diseases has made it through to the final of a national modelling competition.

Former Habergham High sixth-former Gertrude Chatukuta, 22, is now just a vote away from becoming Miss Black Britain 2009, after beating off competition from thousands of rivals.

But the modest student, who is studying medical and biological sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University, had to be persuaded by friends to enter in the first place.

Now Gertrude, after winning through a bikini qualifier, will battle for top honours at the Mermaid Hotel in London on November 14.

Gertrude, from Mansfield Cresent, Brierfield, who relocated to East Lancashire from her native Zimbabwe six years ago, said: “I take part in a lot of charity work so if I win the competition it will give me a chance to support a number of causes and offer them more exposure.

“It means a lot to me that I have made the final because I have only been modelling for just over a year and this is a major competition. I really hope the people of Brierfield and Burnley get behind me with their votes.”

Gertrude said she hoped to become a bio-chemical pharmacologist, pioneering research into rare condition and diseases, after her graduation. Organisers of the pageant want the winner of the 2009 competition to become a role model to change the perception of young black culture in the media, which they believe portrays “an overload of reports of gang violence and gun crime”.

Fashion giants including Selfridges, Moet & Chandon and Harvey Nichols have already sponsored the event, which will also showcase up and coming black music.

Previous winners of Miss Black Britain have gone on to shoot glamorous photo shoots in exotic locations including the beaches of St Lucia.

Gertrude, who is in the third year of her degree, said: “The website will allocate me a specific phone number which anyone can text to cast their vote.

“I’m relying on East Lancashire to support a local model competing in London.”

To follow Gertrude’s progress, visit the website below.

Click here to view and buy our photo gallery of Gertrude.