A TEENAGER who fought leukaemia and went on to raise thousands of pounds to help other sick youngsters is calling on the community to help her realise her modelling dream.

Scarlett Saunders, 14, has been in remission for five years and is now the picture of health, so much so she has been shortlisted in the Miss Teen Princess UK competition.

The Deanes School pupil needs text votes to get through to the final and hopefully bag the top prize of an introduction to a top London modelling agency, a chance to make her catwalk debut at the annual Clothes Show at Birmingham NEC arena and lots of hair and beauty goodies.

Mum Becky Brown, 35, of Abbotswood, Thundersley, said: “When I think what Scarlett went through and look at her now, it makes me so proud.

“If people could send a text for Scarlett, it might help her win and maybe open a few doors for her.

“I think she would be an inspiration to other teenage girls and to families where children have cancer if she got through to the finals.”

Scarlett was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was nine and underwent six months of intensive treatment.

She began fundraising as soon as she was in remission, collecting door to door and in shops, auctioning off her toys and hosting a charity night at the Tandoori Parlour in Thundersley.

For her 11th birthday she asked friends and family to donate to Great Ormond Street Hospital. In total, she raised £6,500 for the hospital.

She said: “I like modelling, I did a bit when I was little and it’s something I hope to do in the future. But I also want to be a nurse for cancer patients.”

To vote for Scarlett text her full name to 84205. For details, go to www.missteen queenuk.com