Student Jodie Frost is aiming to raise funds for COPS through organising an online beauty pageant.
Jodie, who is studying forensic and criminal investigation at Canterbury Christchurch University, has previously been a participant in beauty pageants and wanted to do something for the pageant community, while raising money for charity.
She said: “I became involved in the Kent Carnival Association, and then took part in the Miss Diamond UK pageant, so I got to see how they’re run. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s impossible for the organisers to arrange them at the moment – so I decided to organise a virtual pageant. It’ll give people who are part of the pageant community something to get involved in.”
Jodie explained that she chose to raise funds for COPS as she was specifically looking for a charity linked to the police. “We get to see police cases as part of my university course, and that makes me think about how people’s lives are affected by the loss of a loved one. When I discovered COPS, I could see that its objectives were something I really wanted to support.”
Entries are now open for the Miss/Mr BlueLight International pageant, with male and female participants of all ages welcome. Judging is set to take place in the summer.
“It gives us time for word to get out about the event, and to promote the fundraising too. Also, there’s a lot involved in organising an event like this – I have to balance it all with work and study.”
Participants will send in three photos for each of the rounds, which range from fashion to evening wear. They also need to send in a biography – Jodie emphasises that the event is more geared towards personality than other pageants people may be more familiar with.
If you’d like to follow the event, simply search Facebook for ‘blue light international organisation’. There’s a public page, where you can get in touch, as well as a group that’s been established for participants.
You can also get in touch by emailing bluelightinternational@yahoo.com. If you’d like to donate or help promote the event, send a message, so Jodie can reply with a PayPal link.
Jodie, pictured in August 2019, before further social distancing measures were introduced.