An Ammanford fitness instructor has been announced as a Miss Wales 2018 finalist.

Rebecca Thorne, 18, has been shortlisted to battle against 31 other women to win the title in a three-day grand final in April which will involve an empowerment day designed to improve the girls’ self-confidence; the Miss Wales Charity Ball in aid of Beauty With A Purpose and a catwalk event in front of a sell-out audience and a panel of judges.

The events will take place in the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff and The Riverfront in Newport.

Rebecca said: “A few years ago I was struggling to be happy at school.

“I was persuaded to take up running and have never looked back.

“The positive impact running had on both my physical and mental health was amazing and has inspired me to aim to build a career in the health and fitness industry as a personal trainer.

“I have begun my journey to become a personal trainer by qualifying as a Level 2 gym instructor and am working towards the Level 3 personal trainer qualification, which I hope to complete in a few months.

“I have recently secured a job in Evolution Health and Fitness Centre. I love working with people and encouraging them to discover the positive benefits of being fit and healthy.

“I have now moved on from running and enjoy HIIT Training, weight-lifting and CrossFit in my spare time.

“I also enjoy trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone. I truly believe in trying to be the best version of myself and encouraging others to do the same.”

Rebecca is hosting a charity exercise class in Ammanford this Sunday, March 18 from 10am until 12pm at

Entry is £5 which includes a 45 minute HIIT class taken by Rebecca herself.

There will be refreshments available from tea, coffee as well as healthy organic snacks.

There is also a raffle with a luxury health and beauty hamper to be won.

All proceeds and donations will be given to the Beauty With Purpose charity.

In the run up the girls are all undertaking a series of challenges including raising money for the Miss World Charity, Beauty With A Purpose.

One of the highlights of that programme is the FAB FEB FUNDRAISER which is currently underway with the finalists arranging a series of special events and activities throughout this month.

Fundraising events include everything from sponsored walks and cake sales to charity balls and quiz nights.

Miss Wales organiser, Paula Abbandonato, said: “Miss Wales is committed to Beauty With A Purpose and that means empowering young women and raising money for good causes through the glamour and fun of pageantry. The girls get to make great friends and experience new opportunities while really doing their bit for charity.”

New events are being added in to the calendar by the finalists on an almost daily basis. Many contestants have already fundraised on other occasions in the months leading up to the Miss Wales grand final in April.

Miss Wales is the official qualifier to Miss World.

This year’s final will take place from 26-28 April. On Thursday 26 April, there will be the Miss Wales Empowerment Day with the UK’s leading life coach at the Mercure Holland House; on Friday 27 April, the finalists will attend the Miss Wales Charity Ball also at the Mercure Holland House; and on Saturday 28 April, the new Miss Wales will be crowned at The Riverfront in Newport.

As well as the fundraising for good causes the finalists have had the opportunity to model in Cardiff Fashion Week, take part in self-defense classes; have photoshoots with fashion photographers; appear at film premiers, attend seminars focused on female empowerment and development, enjoy radio interviews and go to dinners and charitable events. 

The current Miss Wales is 23-year-old Hannah Williams from Bridgend who is a business graduate of Cardiff University and works as a sourcing manager for Sony UK. The reigning Miss World is Manushi Chhillar from India.

To vote for Rebecca to become Miss Wales 2018 text Welsh Rebecca to 64343.