Law graduate Angel Collins was named Miss Surrey in the Miss Great Britain 'regionals' earlier this year (June 10) and hopes to go a step further at the national level next month.

Angel is a 27 year old Client Relationship Manager and will compete against other county champions at the Miss GB finals in Leicester on September 16-17.

Being in the beauty pageant is about more than boosting one's profile, she told the Surrey Comet:

"I want to raise awareness for charities close to my heart and it's a really good platform for that. I'm raising money for Cancer Research and a charity called Alex's Wish. I will continue doing that, and for Rise UK, a domestic abuse charity for victims. It's a really good platform, you get to meet so many people and discuss your reasons for being there and mention these charities. It's not just about raising money for them but raising awareness."

As for the event itself, and what competing in something similar to the upcoming final is actually like, Angel meanwhile described a dynamic environment not necessarily in line with our preconceptions for a beauty pageant:

"It's really great, you get to meet a lot of people. I'm an introvert and it's really helped me come out of my shell because you have to do public speaking. It's really empowering. You meet a lot of ambitious girls and they are all wanting to use their title to raise awareness and it's a really good platform. At Miss GB you can be married and have children to enter now, whereas before that wasn't allowed. I definitely think there are not as many negative connotations with it today. I want to use my profile to give back."

Angel is laser-focused on her efforts to raise money for her chosen charities, and described her successful climb of Mount Snowdon earlier previously as just one of many projects she has to support good causes.

A possible attempt at the Three Peaks challenge, plus cake and car boot sales, are also in the pipeline to help her three chosen charities.

Click here to view Angel's profile on the Miss Great Britain website.