Caring Stacey hopes to become a calendar girl

Stacey Brown, who has worked as a care assistant for three-and-a-half years, said she had been approached by a scout on Facebook, who urged her to sign up for the UK Calendar Girl contest but admitted she nearly backed out.

“When I was approached on Facebook, I thought it was a scam at first and lockdown had affected my mental health, so I almost said no,” added Stacey from Rotherham.

“I fell into the job of becoming a carer at a care home in Sheffield, but have come to find I have a real passion for the work the last thing I’d thought about was becoming a model.

“But after doing some research and speaking to other competitors, everyone seemed really nice, so I thought I’d give it ago.”

Out of over 1,000 girls, the 29-year-old was selected to be part of a test photo shoot in the next stage of the competition  but organisers initially decided to cancel the contest in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But all was not lost, though, and it was announced in July that it would continue under strict regulations, with Stacey posing for photos in August.

Three moths earlier, she had been struck down by the coronavirus.

Stacey said she had been bed bound for a week, and described the virus as feeling like someone was sitting on her chest.

“I definitely do believe I was one of the lucky ones,” she said, reflecting on her recovery.

After reaching the final stage to the last 80, the mum-of-one is now urging the Rotherham community to back her to bag one of the 12 prize-winning slots on the official calendar shoot, while also raising funds for charity.

“The whole process has been great and everyone I’ve met along the way has been really welcoming, which put all my initial anxieties at ease,” Stacey said.

“I now really want to win and have a good end to a crazy year.”

To help Stacey become a calendar girl, text UKCG 165 to 81400. Texts cost £1.50, plus the standard network charge.

Voting closes just before midnight on Monday (September 21).

Stacey said that 30 per cent from each message was spilt between the Chestnut Prostate Cancer Appeal and Mental Health Awareness.