A MISS Cheshire entrant from Runcorn wants to raise awareness about alcoholism after it tragically claimed her dad's life last year.

Danielle Armitage, 22, entered the same contest in 2017 to highlight issues surrounding sexual abuse, which she suffered from in the past.

But she is now focused on making people aware of the dangers of alcohol, while raising money for a children’s charity in the process.

“I previously entered the Miss Cheshire contest in 2017 to raise awareness about sexual abuse, and this year I have decided to take part again but on a different subject,” said Danielle.

“Seeing the terrible time my dad went through with alcohol is driving me to highlight the true damage that alcohol abuse can do.

“Not only does it do awful damage to your body, but it also has a lasting effect on family members involved.”

Danielle believes anything she can do to get people talking about alcoholism can only be a good thing and may help prevent others going through what her father did.

“I lost my dad in November last year and one thing I have realised is how issues surrounding alcohol are not discussed enough,” she said.

“He spent 10 days in a coma before the damage spread to his brain and caused him to stop breathing, which is not a nice way to go.

“What he went through was horrible and it was really hard for all of us as his family to experience.

“My dad did not get the help he needed, so hopefully me entering Miss Cheshire and raising awareness around the issue will be a step in the right direction and make a difference.”

As well as highlighting the dangers of alcohol, Danielle will be using the contest to fundraise for Variety, the children’s charity.

“Another reason why I am keen to take part this year is to support a great charity like Variety,” she added.

“They help to provide families with disabled children with the equipment then need.

“All the money raised by me and others in the contest is spent in the north west and not sent to head offices in other parts of the country."

And it is this life changing work which appealed to Danielle when choosing a charity to support.

“The help Variety provide really does change the lives of people who struggle with the costs of raising disabled children,” Danielle said.

“One of the ways they support these families is by providing wheel chairs, which are vital to helping people get around.

“Each Miss Cheshire contestant can fundraise for their chosen charity in their own way, so I am planning to do this by hosting events like raffles and car boot sales.”

If you would like to support Danielle's fundraising for Variety and help her to be crowned Miss Cheshire 2019, donations can be made via her Go Fund Me page

here

.

Voting can also be performed by texting MISS CHESHIRE01 to 63333, at a cost of 50p per text.

The Miss Cheshire final takes place later this month in Northwich.