Fife woman is raising cash for charity while aiming to take the Miss Intercontinental UK title

Melissa Douglas (23), has been competing in pageants since she was 13 and she is using her latest contest to fundraise for Women’s Aid.

The model and actress, who is originally from Windygates, said: “The statistics f those that have suffered increasingly from domestic violence during lockdown have been alarming so it is an especially appropriate time to highlight the work that Women’s Aid does and the support that it provides.

“I am supporting #SupportSurvivors to raise funds so that their digital services can stay open.

“Before Covid-19, the Women’s Aid Live Chat was already a vital lifeline for women who couldn’t find the words or were unsure whether they are experiencing abuse. But this support is now needed more than ever.

“Each chat between a survivors and Women’s Aid expert support worker costs roughly £5.

“By donating the price of a bus fare to work or a morning coffee pre-Covid, you could support one woman indefinitely trapped with abuse.”

Melissa is no stranger to the pageant world, having previously been crowned Miss Fife and Miss Teen Galaxy Scotland.

She represented her country at the Galaxy International Pageant in Florida.

Miss Intercontinental UK will be the first time she has competed since she was crowned Miss European 2017/18 in Malta.

Now in its 48th year, Miss Intercontinental UK provides contestants from England, Scotland and Wales the chance to represent their country internationally and is one of the most prestigious pageants across the world.

Away from the pageant scene, Melissa is a model and actress and an online influencer.

The Miss Intercontinental UK event takes place at the Liverpool Hilton on November 7, having been put back from September.

Anyone wishing to support Melissa’s fundraising efforts should click here