A 10-year-old girl, who suffered from bullying, has seen her confidence boosted after reaching the finals in a modelling contest which is raising money for a charity close to her heart.

Louise Dickie from Beith was being targeted by bullies so her mum Emma entered her into LMI Glasgow’s Spring Model Journey to boost her self-esteem.

But when Louise was announced as a finalist, Emma was astonished to see the Beith Primary pupil grow in confidence almost overnight.

Emma told the Herald: “LMI Glasgow do four Model Journeys a year. They’re not a modelling agency, it’s more about confidence building. That’s why I signed her up because she was getting bullied.

“My daughter has grown so much in confidence since she started her journey. In the space of a week she’s changed so much. Literally from finding out she made the final, it was like a light switch went on.

“The next day she woke up and she was totally different. People were saying ‘what’s happened?’

“With the fundraising, she’s been the one spearheading the whole thing. Before this, she was really shy but now she’s got the confidence to go and approach people.

“She’s been walking into shops in Beith and asking for the managers’ time and asking them to sponsor her.

“How one company I’d never heard of before can completely change someone’s life is unbelievable. It’s wonderful to see how happy it’s made her.”

LMI Glasgow Model Journeys offer young people aged three-25 the chance to experience the modelling industry while making friends and building confidence.

Finalists are invited to take part in a confidence-boosting photoshoot and various workshops.

They also have the chance to compete for public votes online and for raising the most money.

The journey culminates in a live catwalk event, where judges select the overall winner.

The event fundraises for the John O’Byrne Foundation, which organises events for kids at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, and is a charity close to Louise’s heart.

Emma said: “Louise was actually born three months premature so she could easily have been in the same situation as some of these children.

“I think it really hit home how that could have been her. She’s realised how lucky she is.”

Emma added that the family have been overwhelmed by the support from the local community.

She said: “Everybody has been so generous. Penman’s Pharmacy in Beith offered to put sponsor sheets at the counter.

“Louise’s grandparents have been fab. They’ve been trying to help her make a costume out of recycled materials for the final. It’s really brought everybody together.”

To vote for Louise, visit http://www.thelmigroup.co.uk/lmi-events/public-vote.php?city=Glasgow.