A Workington teen has been inspired to take part in Miss Teen Great Britain to raise awareness of grief support following the sudden death of her mother when she was just 15.

Shania Wilson, 19, from Salterbeck, lost her mother, Lynne Wilson, three-and-a-half years ago when Lynne died of a sudden heart attack aged only 38.

Now Shania has started her own campaign #grievingtogether so that people know that they are not alone in grief.

She said: "Without the support I've had I wouldn't be able to talk to you now. My campaign is to bring people together and raise awareness of grief and the recognition of support out there."

Shania said that Cruse Bereavement Care and teachers at St Joseph's School, Workington, had been a phenomenal help to her.

By taking part in Miss Teen Great Britain Shania will have a chance to promote her campaign in the community.

On Thursday Shania had a tattoo done in memory of Lynne. She chose Pooh Bear with mam underneath it. It signifies the Pooh Bear that was bought for her as a child by Lynne and her grandparents. The writing appears in her mother's handwriting, taken from a birthday card.

"Now I can just look down and see her writing there on my arm and know though I can't see her she is always with me. I am never alone. She is always with me", she said.

Shania, who is training as an early years practitioner at Lakes College, successfully reached the final of Miss Cumbria earlier this year and this experience has encouraged her to enter Miss Teen Great Britain. She said:

"Miss Cumbria really spurred me on to do more of this type of competition as I really want to try and make a change if I can."

She praised the confidence that she gained from Miss Cumbria and said: "It opens up so many opportunities."

When Shania sent in her application for the competition she said organisers told her they had been inundated with applications, and they were pleased to inform her that she has been selected for the semi-final. They said they liked her really natural striking look.

Shania said: "I was really chuffed when I heard that I was through to the semi-final. I loved doing the Miss Cumbria final and was able to raise a lot for charity. It was out of this world. It really gives you a chance to make a difference."

Shania is already busy preparing for the fundraising involved in the competition and has signed up to do a half marathon at Carlisle. This is something entirely new for her and she hopes her cousin Nikita Wilson, from Northside, who is also entering the race, will help with her training.

She is planning more music nights, with her previous concert night raising a total of £2,150 and giving Shania the title of Miss Charity Cumbria in the Miss Cumbria contest.

The final of the Miss Teen Great Britain competition will be held in Blackpool in October. Shania expects to hear by the beginning of August as to whether she has been successful.

There is a fundraising page for anyone who would like to donate to this year's charity, which is Together For Short Lives - a children's charity for all children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and all those who support this.

If anyone would like to donate to the Together For Short Lives charity, or would like to be a sponsor for Shania they can get in touch via Shania's Facebook page at Shania Wilson Miss Teen Great Britain Semi Finalist 2019.