9:00pm Friday 28th May 2010
A WOULD-BE beauty queen will swap her stilettos for a plaster cast in tomorrow’s final of the first ever Miss Blackburn competition.
Chantelle Kenyon, 24, of Peridot Close, broke a metatarsal bone in her left foot while dancing, and will now have to wear a maxi dress on stage at Blackburn Library to cover her leg.
The injury also threathened to scupper Chantelle’s fundraising hopes for the Children’s Variety Club, which is a key part of the competition entry.
But determined to fulfill her commitment and compete in the final, Chantelle swapped her six-mile sponsored run for a 12-mile wheelchair walk, roping five members of her family to in to help.
She said: “At one point I really did think I was going to have to drop out, but then I decided nothing was going to stop me, so I have kept positive.
“Having to change the plans at a late stage was quite a pain, as the hospital only gave me crutches and we struggled to get a wheelchair, but it finally worked out.”
With her mum pushing the chair, Chantelle completed the event on Tuesday, May 18 and managed to raise £150 for charity.
The former Pleckgate High School pupil, who is a professional dancer, has had her plaster changed from pink to white to match the dress she has chosen, and is now hoping that people will back her to win.
She said: “I have lived in Blackburn all my live and would love to represent my home town.
“I’ve tried so hard and I really hope my determination is recognised.”
The winner of Miss Blackburn will win a place in the Miss England semi-final where she will have a chance to go onto Miss World 2010 in Vietnam where the main prize is $100,000.
For all the details on contestants and how to vote visit www.missblackburn.co.uk
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