The inspirational women who make life more beautiful

Earlier this year, NIVEA launched a nationwide hunt to find people who demonstrate true inner beauty, whether that’s putting others first, devoting time to charity, or simply being there for their friends.

More than 1000 nominations were received and ten finalists shortlisted. Now these inspirational women are going head to head in a vote where you can chose who you think deserves to win the overall title.

We think you’ll agree, each one of the finalists showcases true inner beauty, with stories of people raising awareness of mental illness, holding the family together in times of crisis, lending a helping hand to those in the community and simply being ‘one in a million’.

To vote for who you think deserves to be crowned the national NIVEA Inner Beauty Award winner, and read more about these inspirational women, visit nivea.co.uk/raceforlife.

To help you decide who gets your vote, find out more about the finalists below:

Scotland winner: Elaine Davidson (18)
Elaine, from Glasgow, is part of an action group raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and gets involved in various fundraising activities. In 2006, Elaine was diagnosed with a brain tumour and went through surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite her tumour returning in 2008, she has continued to fundraise throughout, raising thousands of pounds to help young people who are in a similar situation to her. What’s more, Elaine also returned to school and passed her exams with flying colours.

Elaine’s sister, Nicola, nominated her for the award because she wanted her to realise what an inspiration she is to those around her, and what a positive impact she has on helping others to cope with cancer.

North West winner: Hayley Martin (39)
Despite Hayley suffering from severe OCD, depression and panic attacks, she has done a huge amount to bring the issue of mental illness into the spotlight and dispel myths surrounding it. Hayley, who lives in Congleton, has recently been to the Houses of Parliament to lobby MPs and bring the issue into the spotlight. She also trains teachers so they can spot tell-tale signs in pupils and offer them the advice and guidance they need. What’s more, Hayley writes on forums and has set up self-help groups as a support network for others who have a mental illness.

Peter, Hayley’s husband, nominated her because despite Hayley feeling down herself she will always gather together the strength to support people who need her.

East Midlands: Beverley Munoz-Pujol (42)
Beverley, from Chesterfield, helps coordinate a pilot project for the local Primary Care Trust (PCT), which aims to motivate people with health conditions or/and are overweight, to be more active. She is also a reflexology practitioner. Beverley also tirelessly looked after her mum for five years when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. After her mum died she decided to look for opportunities to help more people in the community and was inspired to sign up to the pilot project with the PCT. Beverley and her team have helped more than two hundred people since she started working with the Primary Care Trust and she inspires many people, every day.

Beverley was nominated by her friend, Helen Parsons, for being brave enough to make a big change in her life to enable her to inspire others to make changes in their lives too.

South: Stacie McNair (47)
Stacie, from Hampshire, is described as a ‘caring and wonderful person who does so much for those around her’. Recently her mother, passed away from cancer - Stacie helped her so much, regularly driving the hour and a half journey to help care for her. Despite her mum’s death being very hard for her she still managed to support her daughter and the rest of the family through a really horrendous year. She is one in a million and the whole family would be lost without her.

Stacie was nominated by her daughter Nicola Whittington who thinks her mum really deserves something back after all she has given and believes she is the most beautiful person in the world inside and out.

West Midlands: June Taylor (43)
June, from Castle Bromwich, is a full-time police officer but still finds the time to act as a carer for her 17 year-old daughter, Kyiesha-Jade who suffers from juvenile arthritis, as well as going out of her way to help the rest of her family and others. June’s family has had a really tough time and been through some unimaginably hard times but June is always there for Kyiesha to help her with anything she might need.

June was nominated by Kyiesha-Jade for lifting her spirits when she’s low and being generally ‘amazing’.

Greater London: Brenda Penfold (52)
Brenda, from Ottershaw, has been blind for over 20 years. She volunteers as a mentor for newly blind people in the community, helping them to adjust to daily life and to re-learn even simple tasks. She is a true advocate of always getting on with life and doing things herself – her condition has not stopped her making each day count and her attitude helps people who are struggling to come to terms with losing their sight too. Brenda is also a spokesperson for sight awareness and acts as a guest speaker at seminars for the medical industry, helping to give professionals a first-hand view and advice on how to approach and understand blindness.

Brenda was nominated by her daughter Lucy for being truly amazing. Despite being such a busy lady she is always there for advice and guidance and a true inspiration to those around her.

North East winner: Sharon Lay (37)
Before being in a car accident in 2006 that left her unable to work, Sharon Lay, from Bingley, was a midwife specialising in domestic abuse. She led the way in providing care and attention to pregnant women she saw who were affected by violence, paving the way for many new support initiatives in the area. Although she has to deal with constant pain from a permanent neck injury, Sharon now volunteers as a guest speaker for the police on a citizenship course for 10/11 year olds to talk about domestic abuse, as well as being an independent visitor for children in foster care.

Sharon’s husband David nominated her for the award because he was so proud of her work supporting local children, and for being a ‘fantastic mum and perfect wife’.

Wales winner: Katherine Owen (37)
Katherine is the local Town Clerk and pillar of the community of Caernarfon, going out of her way to help others. She has been involved in multiple charity and fundraising events all her adult life, raising thousands of pounds along the way and shows no signs of slowing down!

Katherine’s mum, Jenny, nominated her for the award as recognition for all of her charity work, as well as a thank you for all the care and support she gave during her battle with breast cancer. Together they ran the Race for Life and raised over £1,200 for Cancer Research UK.

South West winner: Marian Watton (59)
Marian, from Poole, has volunteered as a counsellor at a local charity organisation for over 11 years helping countless people in the community affected by drugs and alcohol. Her current role means she acts as a trainer for other volunteers at the organisation to offer guidance and support to those hoping to follow in her footsteps. Marian was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and throughout her treatment continues to provide comfort and advice to those around her, with a smile and kind words never too much trouble.

Marian was nominated by her daughter (and colleague), Nikkie, because she admired her mum’s tireless work supporting those affected by substance abuse and also her determination through her fight against breast cancer, staying positive and being the ‘rock’ for everyone in the family.