A MUM-OF-THREE who has reached the final of a major beauty contest is hoping her success will inspire other people who have disabilities.

Bishopton woman Sarah-Victoria Bayley suffers from a number of debilitating medical conditions – including fibromyalgia, which leaves her in constant pain – and often needs a wheelchair to get about.

However, the 38-year-old former dance teacher will line up in the final of the Ms Great Britain contest, to be held in Leicester over two days in September.

The title was introduced last year as a new event for women aged 28 to 39, as part of the traditional Miss Great Britain competition.

Sarah, who lives with her mum and stepdad, wants to use the pageant to raise awareness of chronic illnesses.

She told The Gazette: “I have 38 different diagnosed conditions but the ones that affect me the most are fibromyalgia and agoraphobia.

“One day I can wake up with low pain levels and be able to walk, then the next I am in agony and need my wheelchair.

“The pain is always there and there are times when I can barely move.

“Even when I don’t use my wheelchair, I’m still disabled and I feel this is something healthy people don’t really understand.

“The agoraphobia is also hard to deal with and I haven’t left my home alone in over 10 years.”

Sarah, who suffered a mini-stroke five years ago, says her lack of mobility led at one stage to a lot of weight gain.

However, she managed to drop from a 22 dress size back to a 14, which encouraged her to enter the competition.

Sarah added: “That’s part of the reason I am so keen to compete with the Miss Great Britain team, as they celebrate empowering women.

“I want to show others that being disabled doesn’t mean we aren’t good enough.

“I am also confident I can make it down the catwalk in Leicester unaided but, if I need to use crutches or a wheelchair, I will.

“If someone like me, who needs help showering or leaving the house, can make the final, then anyone can.”

Sarah, who has two daughters and a son, is also doing a ‘Loop the Loop’ challenge on August 6 to raise money for Cancer Research UK and the muscular dystrophy charity Alex’s Wish.

She will be taken up in a light aircraft and experience the aero acrobatic move, with the plane flying upside down.

“I have a fear of heights, so this is incredibly terrifying for me, but it is so worth it in order to help these two amazing charities,” Sarah added.

To support Sarah’s fundraising drive, make a donation at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=SarahVictoriaBayley&pageUrl=2