Worksop girl on a mission to support town with beauty pageant title

Miss Galaxy Nottinghamshire Darcy Birkin, 24, describes the town as ‘small but with bucket-loads of community spirit and big dreams’.

She is currently reaching out to struggling charities and not-for-profit organisations such as North Notts Arena offering to help raise money and support them through the pandemic.

Information governance analyst Darcy, who works for Wilko, described 2021 as a year for ‘falling back on family values’ to try and recover from the pandemic.

The 24-year-old says she sees a glimmer of hope for Worksop in Bassetlaw’s Council’s ambitious plans to breathe new life into the town by bringing new jobs, homes and transport options with its recently-published masterplan.

She said: “It just shows that even in the middle of a global pandemic we haven’t given up - we’re not people that stay down for long.”

Former Outwood Academy Portland student Darcy, who worked in various jobs after leaving school aged 16 before finding a career at Wilko two year ago, was named Miss Galaxy Nottinghamshire in November last year.

This coming November she will enter the Mrs Galaxy UK competition - as she plans to marry fiance George Ledwidge in May.

If she is successful she will go on to represent the UK in the overall Mrs Galaxy final in Orlando, USA, in March 2022.

She said: “Entrants to the nationals do a lot of fundraising and community work, dispelling a lot of the stigma around beauty pageants.

“It’s a lot more about what you do rather than how you look these days - I’m not your typical fashion model, being only 5ft 1” tall.

“I’m not really sure what chance I have of winning at the nationals but I’m just excited to be a finalist.”

Part-time burlesque dancer Darcy described being ‘humbled’ after winning the Nottinghamshire title.

“I feel like it’s really about being there to support positive messages and break down stigma.”

If you would like to get in touch with Darcy for support with fundraising please email [email protected].

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.