A FORMER beauty queen who has overcome domestic violence, health problems and cyber bullying has received a national award for her service to the community.

Despite suffering from extreme obsessive compulsive disorder, ME and hypothyroidism, Kelly Waite, of County Durham, has made it her mission to make the world a better place.

Miss Waite, who appeared on Channel 4’s primetime show Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners in 2015, has dedicated her life to helping those who have experienced similar problems to her.

And her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Next month, she will receive a British Citizen Award (BCA) at a prestigious ceremony at the Palace of Westminster in London.

A survivor of sustained domestic violence, Miss Waite’s award recognises her work with other victims after she managed to break the abuse cycle. As well as speaking at domestic violence centres and women’s refuges, she set set up a Facebook support group.

The 36-year-old is also an advocate for the charity BulliesOut, having experienced cyber bullying herself.

But it does not stop there. Miss Waite has tackled problems with fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour in her street, documenting every incident and organising community meetings until litter bins were supplied.

Further afield, Miss Waite is an ambassador for the Dream Foundation of Uganda, an African children’s charity which aims to empower children through education, as well as fighting HIV, Aids and poverty.

The former Miss United Kingdom Tourism is also a model and advocate for Models of Diversity. Her role involves organising fashion shows and events, and promoting the campaign to ensure models with disabilities have the same rights as able-bodied models.

Her nominee for the BCA described her as an “absolutely amazing young woman, adding: “Kelly deserves this award, she does so much and is an inspiration not just to myself but to many people.”

The BCA recognises people who have positively impacted society by undertaking various activities in support of a number of causes.

Miss Waite is among 30 people to receive a medal of honour at the ceremony on July 6. The medal is inscribed with the words For the Good of the Country. Miss Waite will also be invited to use the initials BCA after her name.

“I was really shocked to find out that I had been given the award,” she said. “It’s really nice and has made everything I have been through feel worthwhile.”