By EMMA SUN
A MISS World finalist is doing her part for charity after holding a fundraiser in Narre Warren last weekend.
Katherine Martin, 20, sold raffle tickets at Horseland to contribute to her $1000 target for the ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ category in the competition.
She has so far raised more than $200.
The money raised will go towards three charities including the Lilla Foundation, the Children First Foundation and Variety, the children’s charity.
Ms Martin, who is looking to pursue a modelling career, said she wanted to try out for Miss World because it was “something different” – a chance to get in touch with her humanitarian side.
“I thought raising money and supporting the community through fundraisers would be a good experience,” she said.
“I just decided to give it a go and challenge myself to see how I could go with it all.
“Everyone’s been really supportive and it’s been good fun so far.”
Since finding out, Ms Martin said it has been a whirlwind of a time for her.
Since finding out she was in the running in April, she has had interview after interview, which she said has been a great learning curve.
“I was so nervous, I walked in and there was a huge judging panel in front of me and I couldn’t even think straight, I’ve never been so nervous about something before,” she said.
“But it was actually all right, not at all that bad and it was a good experience.”
Prizes for the raffle, which include a white saddle blanket, a horse mug, teas and a chocolates set, horse brushers, a horse first aid kit and a horse bucket, will be drawn this Saturday 8 June.
Ms Martin said she would be holding other fundraisers in the coming weeks, including a high tea for family and friends on Saturday 16 June and a sausage sizzle.
She encouraged people donate to a good cause.
“I’ve still got to organise a lot and I think it’ll get even better from now,” she said.
“I welcome anything, even if it’s a bottle of wine or something, I could even sell on the internet. Everything counts.”
For details, visit Ms Martin’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KatherineMartinMissWorldAustraliaFinalist
