
Wow, what a jam-packed few weeks it has been. Since winning the Miss Black Country title, I have been so busy. It’s as though winning has propelled me into a whole new world (little Disney song title drop there – not on purpose I promise!) It’s safe to say I have loved every second so far and we are only on week 3!
The role of Miss Black Country has been very exciting over the past few weeks. I will tell you something though, being nervous on radio now feels like a thing of the past. In the first week alone, I made four radio appearances and three different local stations, including being live on Free Radio with Sam and Mark’s Breakfast show. It has been great fun and each presenter has been interested in different aspects of the Miss Black Country title. From playing higher or lower with model’s ages on The Bridge Radio with Dan Tipton to being asked whether I would end up on the front page if I went out for cocktails on a Saturday night by Cat and Nelly on Free Radio Weekday Breakfast. In all seriousness, they have all had one common interest, and that is ‘how will you be using your title to represent the Black Country?’
The role of Miss Black Country has been very exciting over the past few weeks. I will tell you something though, being nervous on radio now feels like a thing of the past. In the first week alone, I made four radio appearances and three different local stations, including being live on Free Radio with Sam and Mark’s Breakfast show. It has been great fun and each presenter has been interested in different aspects of the Miss Black Country title. From playing higher or lower with model’s ages on The Bridge Radio with Dan Tipton to being asked whether I would end up on the front page if I went out for cocktails on a Saturday night by Cat and Nelly on Free Radio Weekday Breakfast. In all seriousness, they have all had one common interest, and that is ‘how will you be using your title to represent the Black Country?’

I have a lot of ideas for how I want to support and represent the area. As it is probably clear from my job, my heart is focused on charity work and I am aiming for this to be the consistent focal point in which everything else satellites from.
Full time I work as a Community Fundraising Officer for The Haven Wolverhampton; a local charity supporting women and children who have been subjected to domestic abuse and homelessness. The work they do is fantastic and if you don’t know much about them you should definitely check them out. I have been very busy planning an event for The Haven over the last few weeks. This year, we are bringing back Walk a Mile in Her Shoes – a sponsored walk you can really dig your heels into! It encourages men and women to put on a pair of heels and walk a mile around West Park – learning the meaning of the well-known saying, ‘you can never understand what a person has been through until you have walked a mile in their shoes.’ The event has gone live in the last few weeks and we are hoping to get lots of local community groups, corporate teams, friendship groups and individuals signed up. I am hoping to get Mr Black Country signed up too – not that he knows it yet!
Full time I work as a Community Fundraising Officer for The Haven Wolverhampton; a local charity supporting women and children who have been subjected to domestic abuse and homelessness. The work they do is fantastic and if you don’t know much about them you should definitely check them out. I have been very busy planning an event for The Haven over the last few weeks. This year, we are bringing back Walk a Mile in Her Shoes – a sponsored walk you can really dig your heels into! It encourages men and women to put on a pair of heels and walk a mile around West Park – learning the meaning of the well-known saying, ‘you can never understand what a person has been through until you have walked a mile in their shoes.’ The event has gone live in the last few weeks and we are hoping to get lots of local community groups, corporate teams, friendship groups and individuals signed up. I am hoping to get Mr Black Country signed up too – not that he knows it yet!

Last week, I was invited to Macmillian’s Wolverhampton Takeover, which I was thrilled about. They took over the city, providing information, advice and support to anyone who is interested in finding out more about cancer. They also offered training for local businesses to find out more about resources they can put in place to support employees affected by cancer in the workplace. When I arrived, the Wulfrun shopping centre was buzzing with people, which just goes to show how many people the dreaded ‘C’ word has affected. They had a photo booth and plenty of stands full of staff and volunteers offering knowledgeable advice. Having seen what Cancer can do to someone first hand, it’s comforting to know that charities like Macmillian are ALWAYS there to support not only the individual but their friends and family too. Their tagline couldn’t be more fitting; no-one should face cancer alone.

I have also been asked to attend the Black Country Memory Walk in aid of Alzheimer’s Society – a charity that I have supported for a while and is very close to my heart. I felt honoured to be asked to attend the event on 6th September and although it will be an emotionally difficult day, it is all for the right reasons. With Dementia now affecting over 850,000 people in the UK alone, the fight against this horrible disease is really on. The memory walk will allow us to remember our loved ones as well as those all over the UK who have unfortunately already lost their battles to Dementia and also to fight for those who are still battling by raising awareness and vital funds – not only for research but for the tailored care and support that this disease demands.

Of course, as a Miss England finalist, I will also be working hard to raise vital funds for Beauty with a Purpose whose support is focused on disadvantaged children across the UK and the world. Millions have already been raised but it is so important that we, as Miss England Finalists, keep this imperative fundraising going to hopefully live in a world one day whereby everyone has the opportunity to grow up happy and healthy.
There really are some great charities locally, nationally and globally, all working tirelessly for causes that are all so deserving. I am so pleased that this title is giving me the opportunity to make a difference and I am looking forward to the coming months being able to raise more funds and awareness for as many as possible on my journey to the Miss England finals.
Love and kisses
Jade x
Miss Black Country 15/16
There really are some great charities locally, nationally and globally, all working tirelessly for causes that are all so deserving. I am so pleased that this title is giving me the opportunity to make a difference and I am looking forward to the coming months being able to raise more funds and awareness for as many as possible on my journey to the Miss England finals.
Love and kisses
Jade x
Miss Black Country 15/16