The deputy manager of a Norbury care home is campaigning to win the Miss England crown.

Uma Dhir, 23, was shocked when she won the Miss Surrey title last week having never modelled before.

She said she was inspired to enter the competition by one of her friends.

She is now getting ready for the Miss England final on July 20.

The contestants have to raise money for three designated charities and also make an environmentally friendly outfit.

Miss Dhir said she got inspiration from the models at the opening of the Croydon Fashion Festival who were wearing eco-friendly outfits, one was made out of coke cans and another out of magazines.

Miss Dhir said she has started collecting all sorts of recyclable materials for her outfit.

She said: “I have always been interested in helping others, my family are very close and my parents have brought my brother and sister up to give back.

“My brother is a surgeon and my sister is a vetinerary surgeon.

“When I first graduated I had a job with HSBC but felt like a small ant in a big organisation not making a difference in people’s lives so I decided to try something different and got a job at the care home.”

She also has to come up with a talent.

“At school I was interested in drama so I thought I would write a monologue for the competition.”

Her monologue for the Miss Surrey competition had an eco theme.

She said she would do something similar for the Miss England final but would add a twist to the end so it did not end up being a lecture.

She said if she won the competition and was offered a modelling contract she would love to take up the opportunity.

“I would love to model or act, I have always been interested in drama.

“I would need to be able to give back, when you go to sleep at night I think you need to feel like you are at peace with yourself, not just taking from the world but doing something for the greater good.

“I would like to be able to do charity work, with the work I do, Alzheimer’s charities are very close to my heart.”

She said she needs the help of Croydon residents to get through to the final of the Miss England competition.

“I really need people to vote for me “I am also raising money for charity and I am aiming to raise £5,0000. Anyone wanting to donate can do so via my facebook page or email raisingmoney@hotmail.co.uk.”

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