Shrewsbury cancer survivor bidding to win Miss England

Seren Vivian, 19, a creative writing and drama student, was enjoying her first year of student life when she collapsed with suspected appendicitis.

It was only thanks to a routine check carried out on her removed appendicitis that doctors found she was suffering from a rare form of the disease called neuroendochrine cancer.

But despite the months of recovery, the biggest battle for Seren, whose family lives in Castlefields in Shrewsbury, has been regaining her lost confidence.

"I hated how my stomach looked and the scar tissue," said Seren, who is in her second year at John Moores University in Liverpool.

"My confidence and self esteem really disappeared. Then I started going to the Teenage Cancer Trust meetings and met some people who thought they were defined by their illness.

"That is what made me decide to enter Miss England, to prove that I could do what I wanted to do and be what I wanted to be.

"It seemed quite daunting at first but the Teenage Cancer Trust meetings really helped me.

"I am up against 17 other girls in my heat. If I win I then go forward to the semi finals of Miss England which are held in June.

"I just hope that I can help one girl with low self esteem. It would mean a great deal to me. I went into this competition not really expecting anything and I have got this far. I am really happy with that.

"Having cancer was terrifying for me and I had no idea what was going to happen. When they first said I had it I was in shock. I had to have a secondary meeting with the doctors to clarify it all.

"It was just not knowing at the time that was so frightening. It was a symptomless cancer. If it had not blocked my appendix it could have been missed."

Seren, a former student at Shrewsbury's Wakeman School has worked with charities for much of her life including running 10 miles from Dorrington to Church Stretton and raising almost £300 for Children in Need.

"I used to do cake sales and be up until 2am the morning before finishing everything off," she said.

She hopes to be an actress or screen writer when she finishes college but is also toying with the idea of working in drama therapy.

You can support Seren by texting MISS SEMI03 to 63333. Texts cost 50p plus standard network rate.