THE founder of the Sam’s Diamonds charity has been selected from more than 1,000 applicants to take a place in the international finals of Mrs British Empire 2017.

Former Cowley High teacher Sam Lewis, who set up the St-Helens based charity after her fight with cancer, will represent Cheshire on August 25 at the pageant in Buckinghamshire.

Mum-of-three Sam, 42, started Sam’s Diamonds in 2013 after her own cancer journey to give young women the strength and resilience to conquer the disease. So far, she has helped to raise over £17,000.

After recently holding a local catwalk event for her 'diamonds' to take part in at The Widnes Select Stadium, Sam said: “I realised how much our ladies had to push themselves to take part in this catwalk; they were nervous and slightly out of their comfort zone.

"The whole night was about empowering them and regaining their self confidence and we certainly achieved that."

Sam worked closely with Prescot firefighter Kirsty Hornby – who is currently Ms United Kingdom and a Royal International Miss queen - to produce the event.

Sam, who lives in Widnes, said: “It made me realise how little confidence I have in my looks and body image; I kept putting myself down. Kirsty just oozed confidence in her beautiful dresses.

"I’ve always been fine with a mic and presenting on stage but modelling is completely out of my comfort zone. The diamonds pushed their boundaries and developed themselves that night - it was only right I addressed my own issues!”

Sam entered The Miss British Empire heats to push her boundaries - but says to her surprise she has been put through to the finals!

“If I, a cancer survivor, full of scars, with one breast and no ovaries, who is battling all the after effects of cancer treatment can do well in this competition, what else can we all do?” she said.

For information on Sam’s Diamonds visit samsdiamonds.org.uk or email samsdiamonds@hotmail.com.