A MISS Lancashire finalist has shared her story about how she overcame bullying and domestic abuse to become a confident and inspiring contender.

Zoology student Hollie Ann Marie Claire Williams, 26 of Blackley in north Manchester and a former Oldham College student, is now sponsored by Hairphoria Hair and Beauty as a contestant in this year’s Miss Lancashire competition.

She believes that her background makes her the perfect candidate to represent the county not despite, but rather because of the challenges she has faced earlier in life.

Miss Williams said: “I never thought in a million years I would ever be selected for anything like this, but I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity.

“Growing up I had to switch schools in year two, aged seven, and this is when my bullying began and continued right through high school and five years of college.

“My bullying consisted of me being picked up and put into large bins, being beat up by groups of students, having my stuff stolen, name calling, fireworks thrown towards me in high school.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Hollie Williams during her school days

Miss Williams pointed out that such experiences can follow someone throughout their entire lives and that overcoming them takes significant courage and mental strength.

Not only that, but she also had to endure her parent’s breakup and then falling into an abusive relationship.

She said: “So many people push bullying aside and think that it can disappear overnight, but it does not.

“Whilst going through bullying during college my parents were going through a breakup and I was in an abusive relationship in which I almost lost my life more than once.

“So, to be here today and running for Miss Lancashire is huge for me because it is giving me the opportunity to help those who have been or may be in the same position I was.

“I never fit in and for so many years of my life from a young age until my twenties I was never liked but to this day I have always been and will be kind.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Hollie Williams is now a Miss Lancashire finalist

Having survived her challenges and emerged stronger at the other end, Miss Williams believes that her story can be hugely inspiring to others and that winning the Miss Lancashire competition could be the perfect platform to raise awareness of bullying and domestic abuse.

She said: “People see these contests as beauty pageants, but they are not.

“They are filled with girls who are intelligent and kind and genuinely want to make a difference.

“This story alone could make a huge difference in somebody's life by them simply reading it, especially whilst we are going through a pandemic, domestic abuse and bullying is going on all around us and we may not even realise.”

She added: “Domestic abuse isn't just physical, its mental abuse, it can include control, money, obsession, we need to raise awareness.

“If I can survive not one but two domestic abuse relationships and 15 years of bullying and still stand here today, anyone can.”

The winner of Miss Lancashire 2021 will be announced on April 5.