THE newly-crowned Miss York is preparing to make her first public appearance – to raise much-needed cash for a celebration of the city’s Roman heritage.

Medical student Helen Lawal is embarking on a whirlwind year in the spotlight after being named the new beauty queen of the city at a ceremony last week.

The Nigerian-born 23-year-old, who lives in Pickering and is studying to become a doctor at the Hull York Medical School, has taken over the role from last year’s holder of the title, law student Helen Jackson, adding to her status as the reigning Miss Black Britain.

And her debut duty as a glamorous ambassador for the city will see her appear at a fundraising auction in aid of the York Roman Festival, a free city-wide celebration of York’s history which will be held next month.

Run by a non-profit-making body, the event’s organisers are hoping Helen’s support will raise the profile of their work after the effects of the credit crunch led to a decline in sponsorship, which in the past has been drawn from a string of York-based companies and City of York Council.

Helen will be accompanied at the fundraising push, which will be held at the Best Western Monkbar Hotel on Friday, by Miss York runner-up Laura Ehima, 23, who works at a Pickering accountancy firm and is studying to become a chartered accountant, and Beth Ridley, 22, who took third place.

Miss York organiser Vivienne Lee said: “The Miss York competition is delighted to help and support the Roman Festival as part of the city’s heritage – we are here to support York in anyway we can.”

The York Roman Festival will be staged on May 23 and 24 and Nick Eggleton, who is one of the organisers, said the gloomy economic climate had led them to look at new ways of raising sponsorship.

“Unlike other popular events, the festival doesn’t have an ‘attraction’ to cover the cost, nor wealthy traders to rent high value pitches,” he said.

“So to maintain our vision as a free event, we need to raise money. The Roman Festival is an event that is distinctively York, has meaningful community engagement and has clear economic benefits. “Roman history is a unique aspect of our community’s heritage. We, our partners and all the great organisations that have provided promises believe it is crucial York promotes its Roman history as part of a strategy to attracting visitors, especially family groups, to the city. “ Tickets for the fundraising event are available by emailing auction@yorkromanfestival.org.uk or from The Armoury in Stonegate.