Miss Universe hopeful urges more people to foster

Mary Ainsworth was fostered at the age of five

A Miss Universe GB contestant who was fostered with nothing but the clothes on her back and a "little bag of colouring pencils" has said being in care was crucial to her success.

Mary Ainsworth, 31, lost her father at the age of three and described the "lifeline" that her foster parents offered her when she entered their home at the age of five.

The "safe space" it created enabled her to flourish and she wanted to use her platform to raise awareness about the challenges facing the foster care system in Wales.

The pageant finalist, from Wrexham, has spearheaded numerous fundraising efforts related to foster care.

Ms Ainsworth, an alumni and advancement officer at Wrexham University said she had "amazing" foster parents who were "supportive" of her creativity.

"I have really happy memories in care. I'm really fortunate to say that," she told Radio Wales Breakfast.

Ms Ainsworth had her first taste of pageant life when she was scouted for Miss Bury in 2012 before going on to coach future contestants.

"I've always been the person to learn something and then teach it," she said.

Ms Ainsworth is now preparing to compete in the Miss Universe GB finals in Cardiff.

The winner will go on to represent Great Britain at the global Miss Universe pageant in Thailand later this year.

She said she wanted more people to consider becoming a foster carer.

"It gives you that platform to amplify causes that are really important to you," she said.

Mary Ainsworth is hoping to travel to Thailand to compete in Miss Universe

More than 7,000 children are in the care system in Wales, with just 3,800 foster families, according to Foster Wales.

Ms Ainsworth said there could be many reasons for this including "age demographics" and household earnings.

"The cost of living right now is insane," she said.

"Right now I'm working three jobs to do what I'm doing. Bringing up a child is a massive responsibility," she added.

Ms Ainsworth also said a lack of knowledge about fostering could be a barrier for some.

"If you haven't been in the foster community you might not know where to look."

She said being fostered was "life changing" for her and foster parents could "reap the rewards".

She still keeps in touch with her foster parents on social media.

"It's really nice to have that connection. The kindness of strangers in my life has been incredible," she said.

Mary Ainsworth pictured with her dad, who died when she was three

Cath and Neil Lucas, from Wrexham, have fostered about 40 children.

"I'm not ready to give up yet. We're quite happy to continue to do it for as long as we're able," said Mrs Lucas.

She said the children they have welcomed came from a "variety of backgrounds" with "very different needs".

"It's just about giving them out experiences in a safe environment and letting them discover for themselves who they are," she said.

"It's quite a privilege," she added, saying despite having "difficulties and challenges" it was the "best thing we ever could've done".

Cath and Neil Lucas have fostered about 40 children and have no intention of stopping any time soon

Mrs Lucas said the situation was "getting quite serious" in Wales.

"There's children that probably do need a home who have been putting independent fostering agencies.

"It's bad enough going into care but then to be stationed 100 miles away from everything and everyone," she said.

She added: "It doesn't matter what your family looks like. As long as you can care for the child and provide them a loving, stable home.

"You could be a single parent, a same-sex couple or an older couple. It doesn't matter."

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Miss Universe GB final, Ms Ainsworth said she was both "excited" and "nervous".

"My main aim was to talk nationally about the foster care experience. I've done everything that I wanted to do," she said.

"I'm going into it with the mindset to have fun and enjoy it," she said.

Ms Ainsworth also hoped to change the "negativity" that can surround foster care.

"There is always talk about how there isn't enough funding. I love doing this because it's a good news story with a positive outcome.

"I think more people would be invested and interested if we highlighted more stories like mine."

Alastair Cope, head of Foster Wales, thanked her for being "a great role model for other care experienced young people.

"Every fostering journey relies on strong, trusting relationships to create the stability within a loving home that all children deserve."