Rebekah Watkins, a 26-year-old heritage site restorer and talented saxophonist, from Goole in Yorkshire was honoured with the prestigious ‘We Do Ethical Queen Semi-Finalist Award’ by the brand’s founder, Kelly Levell.
PHOTO GEM FOTO Rebekah’s Boho themed ethical outfit ( centre) was sourced from the following in Rebekah’s own words: – ” The outfit im wearing here is a long floral 100% cotton skirt that was my Grandma’s which I have fond memories of using as fancy dress with my sister when we use to dress up as posh ‘ladies’ and visit our neighbours! This I used as a dress with a belt. -Jacket was indigo moon and sewn, and was a cheap charity shop buy of £7. The brand itself is very ethical and the jacket is made out of natural materials. -The hat was reused from a previous outfit and was 100%wool. -The shoes were broken so I used paper mache to recreate the shoe, and the paper used was from the Teafund Prayer Diary. I wanted to walk the prayers for climate justice down the catwalk because it is so important that we think and act sustainably moving forward and think about the worldwide impact of our actions”.
This accolade which gives her direct entry to the Miss England semi final was bestowed upon her during the recent FABUK Top Model contest after she had participated in the world’s first makeup-free competition in association with CETUEM LONDON earlier in the day .
Both events where held by the Miss England organisers at the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites & Residences in London on Friday September 29th.
Rebekah fearlessly graced the catwalk in vintage attire, make-up free, conveying the powerful message of embracing one’s natural beauty.
Rebekah’s participation earned her a spot within the Miss England 2024 semi-final event scheduled for April 7th in Blackpool .
Rebekah was chosen for her unwavering commitment to living an ethical lifestyle, aligning perfectly with the values of the esteemed We Do Ethical organisation.
During the 1 day event in London , Rebekah reached the top 3 in the Talent round after showing off her musical skills playing the saxophone to the audience at the FAB UK TOP MODEL .
Over the past decade, Kelly and her team of brand ambassadors and business partners have engaged with the public on various projects, culminating in We Do Ethical’s inclusion in the historic “Her Majesty The Queen: 
Official Platinum Jubilee Pageant Commemorative Album,” released on June 5, 2022. This recognition underscores the organisation’s dedication to sustainability, shared by only a handful of other sustainable organisations.
Rebekah is the founder of Dream Heritage CIC ( a not for profit organisation which leads community heritage projects across the UK to rebuild both heritage & communities.
Click the logo to find out more about Dream Heritage CIC
Rebekah’s work in restoring heritage sites for the benefit of local communities exemplifies her passion for positive action, in line with We Do Ethical’s mission of forging a sustainable future for people, the planet, and animals. Her journey to the Miss England finals offers an opportunity to further champion ethical living practices and use her platform to support causes such as tree planting, litter cleanups, and aiding homeless communities across the UK.
Rebekah’s starting/end Boho femine day outfit in red again was all recycled: -The red bohemian trousers were a £3 charity shop buy. -The black top was reused from a previous outfit. -The jacket was another indigo moon jacket made from natural materials and hand sewn, and another charity shop bargain of £7. -The shoes were natural leather and were a £5 charity shop buy. -The scarf was a £2 charity shop buy then upcycled with vinyl to share important life and Bible quotes that my friends and family believe that I, the next generation, and the world need to know.
Rebekah at work !
Rebekah’s dedication to her own work which aligns with We De Ethical could lead to her winning an ethical hamper prize worth £1000 at the Miss England gala final event next May.
You can follow Rebekah’s journey and contribute to her tree-planting efforts to support her journey by visiting the organisation’s social media account: @wedoethicalorg
Photo credit ; @gemxfoto (instagram) Tree lined Backdrop ; Enchantedbysyma
