Teen hopes to raise awareness of how positive fostering can be

Madison Clarke, 15, from Badger Hill, is working with City of York Council to use her position as a semi-finalist in Miss Teen GB 2015 to promote fostering as part of a new campaign due to launch next month.

Madison - whose parents have fostered children in their home as she grew up - said she enjoyed pageantry and had learned a lot in her first year of competition, and hoped she could raise awareness of how positive fostering can be.

She said: "I enjoyed every second, I met some incredible people and learnt so much. However, even though I wouldn't change a thing about my past experience, this year I will approach the competition with more knowledge and awareness.

"I plan to raise much more money for charity and use every opportunity to make appearances locally to promote fostering and adoption. York City Council will soon be launching a campaign to recruit new foster carers and I hope that by using my involvement in Miss Teen Great Britain I can play a core part in engaging potential carers and raising awareness about the huge benefits of being a foster family."

Joanna Clarke said she was "immensely proud" of Madison, and was pleased she was using her platform for a good cause.

She said: "On top of studying like crazy for GCSEs she has dedicated herself fully to promoting fostering and adoption.

"When we started fostering nearly four years ago, my biggest concern was the impact on my own child. I would never have imagined the benefits it has brought to both our lives. The fact that Madi has decided to combine her interests in pageantry with such an important cause is really inspiring and I'm delighted."