Jaya hopes to inspire with Miss Universe bid

Buy photos » Binley Woods woman Jaya Nayyar will compete for the chance to represent Great Britain at the worldwide Miss Universe beauty contest. (s)

INSPIRING others is the aim of a young woman who overcame bullying to reach the national final of the prestigious Miss Universe beauty contest.

If successful, Binley Woods woman Jaya Nayyar will go on to compete in the live televised grand final of Donald Trump's Miss Universe, to be broadcast around the world in December.

The 24-year-old is one of around 30 women from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who will compete for the Miss Universe Great Britain crown at Birmingham Town Hall on Saturday May 5.

To reach this stage, Jaya, who holds a masters degree in crime science, attended an interview where she discussed current issues including cyber-bullying and eating disorders.

Jaya herself suffered bullying, including racist abuse, when she was younger, and said she also knows people who have gone through eating disorders.

She said: "I have used all my negative experiences to become a strong individual with a positive, 'can do' attitude, and after my education finished I felt I had enough experience and knowledge to be able to make a difference and empower young women which is why I entered Miss Universe.

"To be a positive role model and empower people, especially young women, is a deep rooted desire of mine and I am so grateful of the stage I have reached."

As part of her bid for Miss Universe Great Britain, Jaya is fund-raising for the charity Strongbones in memory of her late grandmother who suffered with rheumatoid arthritis.

Next Friday (April 27) she will tackle a one and a half mile sponsored swim and ten mile sponsored run in aid of Strongbones.

Visit www.justgiving.com/jaya-nayyar1 or www.missuniverseGB.co.uk to sponsor Jaya or for more information about the beauty contest.

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