It was an emotional moment when Fatime Gashi was crowned the new Miss Manchester. Medical stduent Fatime, from Salford, won the hearts of judges at the grand finale with both her stunning looks and her message that: “every time you help someone you are a hero”.
It’s something that resonates with Fatime, 21, and her family – who fled war-torn Kosovo in 1999 as refugees to start a new life in Manchester, which they have called home ever since.
And in claiming the title, Fatime said: “Manchester has given me so much and I feel like this is my way of giving back to my home city. This still feels like a dream.”
Fatime was just two years old when her family left Kosovo for the UK to escape the horrors of war. They have built a new life here, and are proud to call Salford their home.
She is half way through a biomedicine degree at Salford University, and lives at home with her dad Demush who is a driving instructor, mum Qefsere who works for Amazon, and her younger brother and sister.
Proud dad Demush posted an emotional Facebook post after her Miss Manchester victory on Friday night saying: “You make me an extremely proud father and I love you.”
Winning Miss Manchester came as a huge shock to Fatime, who had only been persuaded to take part by friends and family at the last minute after another finalist pulled out.
She said: “Everyone was telling me to do it, my dad was like: ‘just try it and see’.”
“My dad as soon as he saw me he cried, he was so emotional about it. Because when you come from a country like Kosovo, it’s nothing like England, this means so much to him. I knew how proud my parents would be.
“I cried when they called my name because I never believed that I could win this.”
She works as a part-time model alongside her studies, but was so lacking in confidence doing the catwalk during the event she called on the help of the reigning Miss Manchester Zoe Dale and ex Miss England Elizabeth Grant who were also at the event to give her tips!
She said: “I’ve never been confident in walking, everyone used to tell me I don’t know how to walk straight! But the girls were so helpful at the pageant I was getting their tips before I walked out.
“I’m always smiling, and I think that might be why I won because I never stopped smiling throughout the whole day and night.”
She impressed the judging panel, who included boxer Anthnoy Crolla, Hollyoaks stars Steph Waring and Ross Adams and head judge Arran Coghlan, who all voted her the winner by unanimous verdict at the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate.
Fatime holds down a number of jobs to make money while she studies, including maths tutoring and match-day hosting duties at both Manchester United and Manchester City – but admits she’s actually an Arsenal fan!
She hopes to continue her medical studies to eventually become a doctor, after enjoying time spent volunteering in hospitals.
During the pageant she was asked when in her life she felt she had done something heroic, and her answer melted hearts in the audience.
She said: “Obviously I’ve done a lot of volunteering, I tutor maths and I’ve worked in charity shops, but to me helping other people in any way is what makes you a hero.”
Fatime will now go on to represent Manchester at the Miss England pageant in September – and organisers believe she’s got a great chance at the national event.
Miss Manchester organiser Angela de Fouw said: “It has never happened before that a contestant was scored all tens by all the judges – but with Fatime it did.
“I’m absolutely delighted that Fatime has won the Miss Manchester title and I honestly believe we have a true contender for the Miss England title.”
The event, hosted by Ian Royce and ex-Miss England Elizabeth Grant, helped to raise money for charities Cheshire’s Children and Beauty With a Purpose on the night. -MEN
