A COUPLE are putting on an alternative beauty pageant to raise money for bullied children in response to the story of 10-year-old Lilly-Jo Caldcott.

Tann Marie and her partner Jimmy Zorel are putting on the Mr & Miss Titan UK event next year and plan to donate the funds raised to charities which help victims of bullying.

Witton Middle School pupil Lilly-Jo was taken to hospital last week after overdosing on tablets, after struggling with being bullied.

Tann, 22, is a freelance model and said herself and Jimmy, 40, have both been bullied throughout their lives.

“I was bullied at school and went through the same as Lilly-Jo, resorting to self-harm and suicide,” she explained.

“When I read her story I just wanted to do something to help.”

Jimmy said the pageant will be “different to the usual beauty pageants – which are more focused on what people look like”.

“Instead, this will be a bit more fun,” he added.

A big fan of DC Comics, Jimmy said there will be several rounds for different age groups, including a cosplay round where entrants can dress up as their favourite superheroes.

“We want to celebrate that strength of character that victims of bullying have, rather than what they look like,” he said.

“There wasn’t any support, really, when we were growing up – but we are doing our best to provide what we can because we didn’t have any of that.”

The couple plan to hold the event in Worcester and said they have spoken to Lilly-Jo’s mum Jess Brown who has given her blessing.

Lilly-Jo is now out of hospital and recovering at home.

Tann and Jimmy hope the youngster and her family will attend the event, while they are still finalising which anti-bullying charities to donate to.

Some of the money will also be given to Jess to take her daughter on holiday.

Entries for the event close on January 31. Search Mr and Miss Titan UK on Facebook for more.