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Leeds teenager's Miss England bid in memory of brave sister
A Leeds teenager has dedicated her Miss Wakefield crown to the memory of her little sister.
Natalie Kisby, 17, from Pudsey, has just scooped the regional accolade and is now through to the semi-finals of the Miss England competition.
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But the Crawshaw School pupil has paid tribute to her brave sister Lauren who died aged just 14 of a rare form of cancer one year ago.
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Lauren was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a bone tumour on the pelvis, after she started to feel unwell in July 2008. She died in April last year.
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Natalie, who hopes to walk in the footsteps of supermodel Kate Moss, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "I am really excited to be crowned Miss Wakefield.
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"Lauren would have been so proud. Before the competition I had to say who inspired me and I said that my sister did.
"She had to fight cancer for six months and she went through so much pain but she was determined to live –it made me determined to win and make her proud."
Natalie, who is studying for her AS levels, said that when her sister was in hospital she used to climb into bed next to her before she fell asleep.
She also said that Lauren would often help her get ready before she went out.
Natalie is now preparing for the Miss England semi-finals in Leicester, in June, and added: "On the night of the competition it was like Lauren was with me every single step of the way."
Mum Kim said that Natalie's win was the first bit of good news she has had and is keeping her fingers crossed.
" I am so proud of her and can't believe it," she said.
"It has been awful since Lauren's death. I can't describe the sadness I
feel every day and the pain.
"It seems like it is getting worse one year on. It is almost like she is away and will come back but everyone has been raising money in their
own special way.
"Martin House helped us a lot and it feels good to give something back to them."
Mrs Kisby added: "Lauren was very bubbly and outgoing and she would have given Natalie her last sweet. She was so beautiful."
Collectively the family have raised around 5,000 for Martin House and the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Lauren.
Kim, Natalie, grandmother Christine Hilliard and great-auntie Kay Land and family friend Cheryl Hardy scaled the Three Peaks Challenge last summer to raise around 2,000.
Dad Stephen is hoping to tackle the Three Peaks Challenge alongside 65 Crawshaw school pupils from Lauren's year this summer to raise more money.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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