Miss Norwich beats illness to take coveted title

Cheraleigh Van Zanten and Brianna Dale pictured with former Miss Norwich Jessica Linley. Picture; Kevin Wise (Image: Archant)

The accolade was awarded to Cheraleigh Van Zanten from Long Stratton at the regional final of the Miss England competition held at Norwich City Football Club.

Beating twenty other hopefuls to take the title Cheraleigh's route was fraught with challenges as she battled stress, chronic fatigue, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

After competing in four rounds Cheraleigh revealed her reasons for entering, telling the judges she had entered to boost her confidence after suffering from anxiety and stress since childhood.

Cheraleigh said: 'I suffer from it terribly, even when I'm on the phone I get really nervous and clammy.

'It's got a lot better since taking part in Miss Norwich and it has definitely given me more confidence.'

Originally from South Africa, Cheraleigh and her family moved to Norfolk fifteen years ago. She attended St Mary's Junior School, Long Stratton and Long Stratton High School before moving to Easton College to study Veterinary Science.

Cheraleigh said: 'I was bullied when I was younger because of my accent, it made me stutter and get really nervous. The competition has helped me combat this.'

Cheraleigh is currently enrolled at the Royal Veterinary College in London to study Veterinary Medicine but had to take a year out after being diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia and chronic fatigue.

She said: 'I decided to defer for a year, I was struggling to keep pace. I am now fully recovered and will start back in my first year in September.'

Talking about how it felt to be crowned Miss Norwich she said: 'It feels great, I put a lot of preparation into it. It was a lot of fun and it was a bonus to win.'

As part of the competition Cheraleigh was supported by family and friends to fundraise for Miss World's Beauty with a Purpose Charity as well as styling an eco-dress out of a Halloween tutu and curtain hold backs.

Cheraleigh will now go on to represent the area in the Miss England semi finals on July 5 in Nottingham. She said: 'That will be on a much larger scale so I feel a bit nervous. The whole competition is about being a good role model so I know all the girls will be lovely.'

Judges, who included Andy Orchard of the Evening News and former Miss Norwich Jessica Linley, commended Cheraleigh.

Mr Orchard said: 'The Evening News is delighted to see Cheraleigh win, she came across as a very bright, engaging girl with lots of attributes that will serve her well in the future.

'We wish her the best of luck in the next round.'

Cheraleigh urged other people suffering from anxiety or stress to try new things saying: 'Lots of young people suffer, I want them to know that they are not alone. I always thought that it was just me who suffered but nine out of ten people I've met have suffered from it at some point.

'I'd say to them try and push through it - otherwise you'll never get over it.'

Other winners at the event included Brianna Dale who won the title of Miss Ipswich & District and Danielle Wicklund took the award of Top Fundraiser for raising £785 for the YOPEY and Beauty with a Purpose charities.

Brianna and Danielle will join Cheraleigh at the semi-finals in Nottingham. If successful they will qualify for Miss England 2015 on August 14 which then leads to Miss World.