Miss Manchester, 22, says refugees can ‘do anything’ after revealing she fled war-torn Kosovo as a kid

Fatime Gashi, 22, entered 'Miss Manchester' last year and was awarded the coveted title

By Jess Lester    23rd April 2019, 9:40 amUpdated: 23rd April 2019, 12:58 pm

BORN in a Macedonian refugee camp after her parents fled war-ridden Kosovo, Fatime Gashi's early years were a far cry from the glitz and glamour of a beauty pageant.

But last year, whilst studying for a degree at the University of Salford, the 22-year-old entered 'Miss Manchester' as a break from revision, and was awarded the coveted title.

The 22-year-old entered 'Miss Manchester' as a break from revision and won the competition FATSKS/INSTAGRAM

Fatime was first approached on Instagram suggesting she entered the pageant, and while she initially didn't want to compete, her parents convinced her it would be a good way to take a break from studying.

And not only did she win the contest, scooping the title from over a dozen others, Fatime went on to achieve a first-class honours degree in Biomedical Science.

Now the pageant queen is taking a year-long break from her studies to become a doctor to work at the Skin HQ, a skin care clinic in Manchester.

She told the Mail Online: "The pageant was on a Friday and my final exams started on the Monday - and at first I didn't want to do it because I knew I needed that time to revise.

Fatime went on to achieve a first-class honours degree in Biomedical Science FATSKS/INSTAGRAM

She was initially approached on Instagram to compete, and was eventually persuaded by her parentsFATSKS/INSTAGRAM

But the model was went on to not only secure a first class degree, but to win Miss Manchester - something which she describes as the 'most amazing, crazy experience'.

Passionate about her adopted city, where she came as a child and hopes to remain in 'for life', Fatime wants to return to university to get her PhD in skin disease, and find a cure to eczema.

Despite her good looks, the graduate - who was the first in the competition's history to receive a perfect score - wants to 'redefine' what it means to be a beauty queen.

And Fatime believes there are more import things in life than beauty, explaining that it's 'not just about having a pretty face' but inner beauty heavily influences the competition.

Fatime was just two years old when her parents arrived with her in Manchester FATSKS/INSTAGRAM

Fatime wants to return to university to get her PhD in skin disease, and find a cure to eczema FATSKS/INSTAGRAM

Wanting to give back and remembering her difficult start to life, Fatime spends much of her free time volunteering and helping out at charity events, which she says is the crux of pageant life.

Going on to compete in Miss England, the influencer, who boats thousands of followers on social media, finished in third place ahead of 20,000 other entrants.

And using her new-found fame, the beauty pageant pro wants to change people's perception of refugees, hoping to help remove the stigma around them.

The influencer came to Manchester in 1999, aged 2, after escaping war-torn Kosovo - and explains she is 'always grateful' for the way she was welcomed into the country with open arms.

Going on to compete in Miss England, Fatime finished in third place - known as 2nd runner up in pageant terms REX FEATURES

Citing Brexit and the current refugee crisis, Fatime understands that some people escaping war might feel as though nobody is giving them a chance, but she wants refugees to know they can do 'anything'.

"People use the word 'refugee' as an insult, but it's the opposite. Being a refugee shoes you have strength, and you really can do anything you want to," explained.

Fatime was just two years old when her parents arrived with her in Manchester, with mum Qefsere pregnant with Fatime's younger brother.

Transferred from the Macedonian camp, the family were housed alongside 100 other Kosovan refugees while the family worked to stabilise themselves in the UK.

The beauty pageant pro wants to change people's perception of refugees FATSKS/INSTAGRAM

The pageant queen still lives at home with her mum, who works for Amazon, and her dad Demush, a driving instructor.

In between studying, Fatime worked as a maths tutor, a part time model, volunteered in hospitals and was a match day host at both Manchester United and Manchester City football clubs.

She was inspired to become a doctor at just age eight, when she conducted a rash that left her in intensive care and almost cost her life.

Doctors even prepared Fatime's parents for losing her, and to give back, she wants to be able to treat others with life limiting skin conditions.

In between her studies, Fatime has worked as a part time model REX FEATURES

https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/8917875/miss-manchester-refugee-camp-kosovo-degree-eczema/