The Bite Magazine - Summer 2012 - Issue 5

bite reallife her mother and g r a n dmo t h e r, has kindled the warmth within many through extensive work for a wide range of charities. “My gran is on the chair for Cancer Research in Fife and my mum has always donated to charity. For my first beauty pageant two years ago, I did a lot of charity work and ended up winning the publicity award. Since then, I have got into the habit of working to help others.The more involved I get the more rewarding it becomes.” Among an impressive number of projects, Sula has styled a calendar featuring photographs of women who have survived breast cancer which helped to raise £8000 for the Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre in Fife. She has also donated raffle prizes to both Riding for the Disabled and Help for Heroes and raised £400 through taking part in the 5k Race for Life. Last year, the young teen also gave the Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre and the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) in Kinross £1300 by organising a fashion show locally. Sula talks modestly, almost unaware of the unbelievable scale of her fundraising work. “Every year, I make a hamper with beauty products or chocolates and the money raised through the sale of raffle tickets will go to my chosen charity. I was invited to the Scottish Parliament last year by my local MSP; it was amazing to have that level of recognition for the work I was doing.” Not only is Sula noted for her boundless giving and her recently acclaimed title as an Olympic Games torch bearer but she has also secured herself a top modelling job before the age of 16. Luxury swimwear design house and Miss World sponsors, Sandstorm Boutique, have hired Sula to appear in their campaign which is hoped to be featured in the promotional video for Britain’s Next Top Model. Sula’s eyes widens, “If they like the pictures and the promo video is featured on television that would be amazing. It would really help with my modelling career.” It seems Sula really is the young woman of the moment, her fire glowing for all to see. In less than a year, schoolgirl Sula has leapt from obscurity to prominence. Still coming to terms with her success, Sula insists she is still just a regular teenage girl. “It is still so surreal. I really am just an ordinary teenager but instead of having a hobby like dancing I have decided to help charities. I hope to set a good example for other young women and show that anyone can achieve what I have if they work hard.” With more attention focused on her, Sula has begun to look past the torch relay itself and to the significance it will hold for her future. “I would like to gain more opportunities with modelling, especially abroad. I would love to get signed to an agency in somewhere like Dubai or London. A career in business is something that I am also thinking about.” Whatever the future holds, it is certain that the fire Sula has created will continue to burn, intensifying as her passion grows. Designer - Red Dress by MeeMee Couture www.meemeecouture.co.uk