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Kelly Knox, winner of Britain's Missing Top Model, announces involvement with Raleigh

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1 December 2008

Kelly Knox, winner of this year's ‘Britain's Missing Top Model' (BMTM) has announced that she will be working with youth and education charity Raleigh. The BBC3 show won a RADAR Award for Factual Programming on 1 December.

Kelly, 24, said she was delighted that the show won the award and hopes it will inspire other people with disabilities. She said: "When I was on BMTM, I thought that everyone was just like me in respect of being positive and just getting on with things- despite their disability. I learnt that was not always the case and I appreciated the fact that I have a strong mental attitude which I never did before." Commenting on Raleigh's work, Kelly said: "I am passionate about making a difference in this world. I believe in pushing yourself to the limits and learning about different ways of life and different cultures- everything which Raleigh embodies. Raleigh expeditions are a real learning experience which enable people to grow and appreciate the things in life that we take for granted."

Determined not to let her disability get in her way, Kelly said that her involvement with the programme was a real eye opener. She said: "I learnt that although I do have one arm, I'm lucky that I can do things for myself. One of the other contestants on the show was not able to do the simple things, such as putting her contact lenses in, doing her own make-up or brushing her hair- this was quite upsetting. I helped her with this as these were things I took for granted."

Kelly added: "When you are in situations that you have never been in before, you discover new things about yourself. Since winning the show, I have been inspired to get involved with Raleigh as it is an organisation which can help people to develop their full potential."

Raleigh Chief Executive, Stacey Adams, said: "Kelly exemplifies a real ‘can do' attitude which our volunteers share by rising to the challenges of life on expedition. Since our launch in 1984, Raleigh programmes have equipped young people like Kelly with the skills they need to move forward in their lives."

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Anne Grenyer
Press and Campaigns Manager
Raleigh
Tel: 020 7183 1298
Email: anne.grenyer@raleigh.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

Raleigh

Raleigh is a youth and education charity. Since 1984, our expeditions have inspired 30,000 people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to be all they can be, helping them develop new skills and friendships and make a difference to communities and environments across the world.

We all have an expedition within us. Find yours at raleighinternational.org

RADAR

RADAR is a national network of disability organisations and disabled people. Formed in 1977 as the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation, RADAR is a national organisation run by and working for disabled people. It has a membership of over 800 disability organisations and individuals.