A BROCKHILL beauty is hoping to cycle her way to success and be crowned Miss Worcestershire this weekend.
Rachael Baker ushered in the New Year by completing a 32-mile bike ride on Saturday (January 2) – barely giving herself time to recover from the New Year’s Eve festivities.
The 22-year-old, who attended RSA Academy Arrow Vale, has so far raised around £150 from the trek for the competition’s charity – Beauty With a Purpose – which is at the heart of the Miss World pageant and an important part of Miss Worcestershire.
Rachael, who hadn’t been on a bike for eight years, did the 32-mile round trip from Redditch to Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium – which will host the Miss Worcestershire final on Sunday (January 10) – and back with the help of Team GB cyclist and close friend Beth Crumpton.
“I’m just so happy that I managed to cycle the whole thing,” said Rachael. “There were people who said I couldn’t do it, or that I wouldn’t make it the whole way but I am very determined, especially as it was for such a worthy cause.
“Not finishing simply wasn’t an option, even when we got soaked to the bone on the way home. “
Rachael, who was first scouted at Birmingham’s The Clothes Show, is one of 28 girls taking part in the competition, chosen from a field of 400 entries.
And she is keen to put her hometown on the map: “I’m proud to be from Redditch and I love living here – I could never imagine moving away.”
Visit http://tinyurl.com/hx5du6u where you can still donate and http://tinyurl.com/z7dfhhe to read more about Rachael’s journey.
