A BEAUTY queen is preparing to don walking gear rather than a ballgown so injured soldiers have a better life when they return home from war.

Emily Hedge was crowned Miss Bromley last month and is determined to use her title to raise as much money as possible for Help for Heroes.

Fundraising for soldiers

The 19-year-old is currently training for her first fundraiser, a sponsored trek up Mount Snowdon on September 11 which she wants to complete within six hours.

News Shopper: Miss Bromley Emily Hedge is preparing to scale Mount Snowdon

Former Langley Park School for Girls pupil Miss Hedge hopes her £2,000 fundraising target will be spent on rehabilitation centres for injured soldiers.

She said: “[People] don’t think about the soldiers when they come home and are injured.

“They are the forgotten ones.

“They are going to need support forever.

“It is not going to go away.”

“I’m at the age where quite a few people are soldiers and it is quite close to home.

“When you see soldiers on television who are the same age as me but they seem so much older and I just think ‘that’s too young’.”

Miss Hedge runs every day near her home in Valley Road, Shortlands, with her training including running up nearby Martin’s Hill at least four times a session to strengthen her legs.

News Shopper: Emily Hedge trains every day

She has never done anything like the hike before but says the cause makes the hard work worth it: “I have got two months so it is achievable and I’m sure I can do it.”

“I just take things head on and see how they go.

“Once I get half way up then there is no turning back, plus I will have a lot of chocolate in my bag so I will be fine.

“I will look forward to collecting the money from people and saying I have done it.”

Help for Heroes chief executive Bryn Parry said: "The money raised, £56m to date, is all used to provide direct, practical support to those wounded in the service of our country.

"We have already spent £millions and we have a shopping list of future projects that will ensure they get the very best.

"We may not be able to prevent them from being hurt but we can certainly do our bit to help them get better.

"Emily’s wonderful fundraising is hugely welcomed, she should be congratulated and, on behalf of all those who the money will benefit, thanked.

"Well done Emily; Great effort!"

Donate to the cause

Help Miss Hedge reach her fundraising target by sponsoring her by clicking here

Any companies who want to sponsor Miss Hedge and help to provide her walking boots and equipment can get in touch with her by by emailing the News Shopper