A glamorous Miss England contestant and professional footballer has hung up her sash and boots by signing up to be a care worker on the coronavirus frontline.
Erin Smith, 18, from Worcester, who dreams of becoming a nurse, was desperate to join the fight against the deadly virus after the UK went into lockdown.
And now the beauty pageant hopeful has exchanged her glitzy ballgowns for 12-hour shifts caring for elderly residents with Covid-19 near her home in Worcestershire.
‘Being a carer is difficult, but I’m absolutely loving it,’ explained Erin. ‘The residents are all so lonely because they can’t have visitors and they miss their families, so it’s nice to be the one bit of joy in their day.’
Erin Smith (pictured), 18, from Worcester, who dreams of becoming of nurse, signed up to become a care worker
Erin (pictured) has played football since she was four-years-old and has been part of the England Colleges squad at an under-18 level
She added: ‘A lot are pining for company but you have to keep your distance so you can’t give them a pat on the shoulder or a hug.’
Erin has also played football since she was four-years-old and has been part of the England Colleges squad at an under-18 level.
She previously played for West Bromwich Albion and Coventry United before she took time off to recover from an injury.
But the centre back was forced to temporarily hang up her boots when all professional football was temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The glamorous Miss England hopeful revealed her friends told her she was ‘crazy’ for signing up for the care worker role, while her parents worried she may catch coronavirus
Erin previously played for West Bromwich Albion and Coventry United before she took time off to recover from an injury. The centre back (pictured, left and right) was forced to temporarily hang up her boots when all professional football was temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak
And Erin admitted parents Mo, 54, and Tony, 50, who she lives with, were initially worried about her working on the frontline.
Erin revealed how her friends told her she was ‘crazy’ for signing up for the care worker role with her parents worrying she might catch something.
‘My friends said I was crazy when I signed up,’ she said. ‘Mum and dad were worried because they didn’t want me catching anything but we don’t have anyone vulnerable in our family.
‘They are really proud of me because of the things I have to do, a lot of people couldn’t do them.
‘I never thought I’d be able to do the gruesome parts of caring but it’s shown me that I can be a nurse.’
Erin said her PPE is a bit different to her usual pageant attire as she sports a face mask, gloves, apron and face shield during her long shifts.
‘Some think the PPE is funny and over the top but obviously you can’t risk giving them anything,’ she explained.
Erin (pictured, left and right) submitted videos and images of herself to the Miss England YouTube channel showing off her keepy-uppy skills to earn her place in the beauty contest. Erin said her PPE is a bit different to her usual pageant attire
Speaking about the Miss England contest, Erin added: ‘The only lady I told about the competition really encourages me. She thinks it’s amazing.’
Erin submitted videos and images of herself to the Miss England YouTube channel catwalking in her garden and showing off her keepie uppie skills to earn her place in the beauty contest.
The Miss England Midlands semi-final was due to take place last month at Resorts World in Birmingham, but due to lockdown restrictions the contest is being held virtually instead, with the public and judges selecting winners who will go through to the final.
Organisers are currently unsure whether the grand final, due to be held on July 31, will go ahead physically as this may also be held virtually too.
The Miss England Midlands semi-final was due to take place last month at Resorts World in Birmingham. Erin (pictured left, and right) spoke of how the hardest part of her new career is seeing how lonely the elderly she cares for are
Erin, who is sponsored by organic beauty company ST Essentials, said: ‘The reason I entered the competition is because I thought it would build my confidence, but I understand why we can’t do it on stage with an audience.
‘Doing it virtually is a bit different, but I don’t mind. I can’t wait to get back into football, though. My dad loves that I’m into it and supports me so much, but I’ve had to do a lot of Joe Wicks PE lessons instead to keep fit.’
Erin, who lost her other part-time job at a coffee shop when the pandemic became more serious, spoke of how the hardest part of her new career is seeing how lonely the elderly she cares for are.
She commented: ‘The most difficult thing is not being able to spend a lot of time with them, especially if one of them is having a bad day.
‘I set up a zoom call on my laptop for one lady so she could see her grandson, and she cried.’
Erin is also raising money for The Survivors Trust, a charity which supports victims of domestic violence, by running 10k four times a week throughout May.
Erin (pictured left, sporting her England football kit, and right, practicing her skills in her garden) said: ‘I can’t wait to get back into football’
Erin (pictured) is also raising money for The Survivors Trust, a charity which supports victims of domestic violence