A Quadring woman is heading to Malaysia later this year as the UK’s representative for Ms/Mrs Earth.
Laura Hudson is no stranger to such contests and in 2023 she was named Miss Ocean World and is now director of that competition.
Earlier this year she landed the Ms Earth UK title which was set up last year by The Pageant Society ‘as a way of expanding their environmental royalty to married women, mothers and women aged 27 plus’.
It followed months of charity work including volunteering as a citizen scientist with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust both at sea and attending webinars.
For the Ms Earth title she took on a project entitled Beneath The Service, which aimed to show the damage of human-made pollution, particularly microplastics, causes to nature.
Laura also took on a Marine Mammal Medic course with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, and now is qualified to come to the aid of some injured marine life.She also attended a Happy Little Hands sign language course.
At the Ms Earth UK finals in Hertfordshire she took home the Publicity Queen, Advocacy Award and Talent Star as well as the main crown.
Rounds on the day included an opening dress round in which Laura wore one bought on Vinted, a swim/fitness wear display and one for sustainable costumes which the former fashion student made herself to depict the destruction of coral reefs. It won the prize.
“I was shaking for ten minutes, it meant so much to have won,” she said of the moment. “To have all the hard work appreciated and my passion rewarded in the best way possible, and being crowned as Ms Earth UK 2026
“It was so overwhelming and I was over the moon to know I would be heading to Malaysia.”
Laura says she’s particularly pleased by the Advocacy award and as a result she was been awarded a Greener West Midlands Award last month for outstanding contribution in Ocean and Environmental Advocacy and is to judge delegates advocacy projects in India via Zoom at the end of this month.
“It’s incredible to know my voice and my mission is being heard and having an impact already,” she said.
The Talent Star award was for being a trained free diver who is able to hold her breath for prolonged periods.
It has led to her acting as a mermaid, and following the awards volunteered with Grantham Swimming Club amid a busy diary of events.
“It certainly is busy, but I am thoroughly enjoying it,” Laura said. “For me, a title is more than just a crown and a sash – it’s a job, it’s a responsibility and a huge opportunity to use my voice for positive change and impact
“I can only hope to continue this through the Internationals on July 25.”
The event is set to be streamed live on Facebook.
