A passionate Miss Hertfordshire hopeful wants to give back to the county that ‘gave so much to her’ by winning the Miss Hertfordshire crown and advocating for children in care.

A facility manager by day, Marcie Reid won the Miss Earth title in 2022 and went on to represent Great Britain for pageantry in the Philippines.

She has also written a children’s book and is working for charity Action for Children.

However, life was not always plain sailing for the the 29-year-old pageant queen from Croxley Green.

Marcie, who now lives in Tring, had a difficult childhood in and out of care from age 3 which "led to a lack of self-belief"

Marcie has a strong message to those strugglingMarcie has a strong message to those struggling (Image: Courtesy of Marcie Reid)

Despite this, becoming a pageant queen has always been her dream. Marcie described the moment she knew she wanted to win the coveted competition when she aged 7.

She said: “When I used to see my mum regularly we would go to the Croxley Revels Summer Fete. I saw the Miss Hertfordshire sash for the first time and when I grew up that’s all I ever wanted.”

Pageantry allowed her to overcome the difficulties of her past, and find herself. She altered the statistics, becoming a national champion, owing much of it to the county where she grew up.

“It’s about being your confident, selfless self, giving the very best of you back to your community. I was in foster care but I feel like a Hertfordshire success story,” said Marcie.

For those in care she adopted a strong message: “You are not alone, the darkest of beginnings does not mean you don’t deserve the brightest of futures.”

Following a top five finish last year, Marcie is looking to become the Miss Hertfordshire champion on Sunday, July 21, at the Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club.

She encouraged anyone affected to contact her for support at instagram.com/marciereidofficial.