A WOMAN from Launceston is now a published model after winning the UK Calendar Girls Reserve title in this year’s competition.

Donna Young from Launceston is delighted to have won the title during the competition’s grand final event recently.

Donna previously told the Post that she got through to the final back in July, which is when the preparations for the big night started.

“I had to buy my grand final dress, book hair and makeup and get all the accessories ready,” Donna said. “I was talking to my family about it for a while and sometimes get anxious about the wait and what would happen once I was at the final.”

The final was held at Pryzm nightclub in Bristol, with competitors first meeting at Ashton Gate Stadium where they were given their official UK Calendar Girls sashes and limo allocations.

The girls arrived in style, in a seven limo convoy, and Donna and 13 other girls were lucky enough to be allocated the limousine to arrive first.

Donna continued: “It was such an amazing experience to do it all over again from last year’s grand final. I’m very thankful to have had my family and friends there to support me, especially my boyfriend Jamie and my mum, alongside Nicole, Steph, Ayesha, Jade, Tyler and Shar.

“I didn’t expect to get through to the calendar and I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this whole experience, including my local pubs and other businesses for putting out my voting cards and talking about the charities involved that we are supporting — The Chestnut Appeal and Mental Health Awareness.”

Hearing her name being called out during the final was an overwhelming moment for Donna.

“When I heard my name being called out to having a winning place of a reserve, the whole room cheered, shouting my name, and the previous winner Gail Scott, who has supported me throughout the competition, came out and hugged me because I made it. The whole experience was so overwhelming and I’m truly thankful for everything.”

Donna also received an award for outstanding commitment to the competition, helping support the other girls competing in the competition.

Donna added: “I’d personally like to thank Myles Lockwood and James Collins for all they do to raise money for the chosen charities and supporting all the girls throughout the competition; my makeup and hair artist Bridgette Louise Caple for making me look stunning.

“I’d also like to thank my closest supporters — Jamie Sleeman, Susanne Cook, Sara Marriott, Steph Dodds, Tara Willis, Tom Coles, Courtney Francis-Lang, Kenyon Barker, Laura Milford, Rose Long and my boss Lynne for helping me throughout and hearing me go on about the competition since I started the journey in March, helping me gain my votes and spreading awareness for the Chestnut Appeal and mental health charities. In total we helped to raise £5,661.26 and are still raising money for them.”