Lewisham woman heads to Miss England competition after making it through semi-finals
A woman from South London has reached the finals of the Miss England beauty pageant.
Constance Iloghalu, 27, from Lewisham, will be competing against around 45 other women hoping to claim the crown on Friday, August 27.
The current Miss Lewisham said: “I’m hoping that I win. I’m going there with the mentality that I’m going to do my best and hopefully my best will be good enough.
“My favorite quote is “No one is you and that is your power” and even though we’re all so great and we’re all so driven, intelligent and have so many great skills, none of them is me.
“I’m just going to go there and do my absolute best, and if I don’t win I’ll still keep on with my charity work, but I would love to win, it would be my absolute dream.”
The winner of the Miss England competition will go on to compete in Miss World.
Constance is hoping the contest will give her a platform for her campaigning.
The former pupil of St Stephen’s Primary in Deptford and St Ursula’s Convent, Blackheath, said: “It’s a good opportunity to campaign for a cause that you’re passionate about because you get a platform, and you get to network and meet new people and get opportunities.
“For me it’s children and adults who have learning difficulties and complex needs which is the thing that I’m most passionate about.
“I’ve experienced people in my own family who have had difficulties and I’ve seen the discrimination that they’ve experienced.
“I want to raise awareness and help to improve their life chances and opportunities.”
Constance is a family support worker and contact supervisor, supervising contact between parents and foster children.
She is also studying social sciences at University College London, and will be graduating next summer.
Afterwards, she hopes to pursue a master’s in either Human Resources or Social Work.
Constance has also raised over £1000 for the Miss World Beauty With Purpose charity, through baking, running and walking a marathon.