A 16-year-oldteenager from Yorkshire is enjoying success as a model after being wheelchair bound for over a year.
Holly Whaling, from Cleakheaton in Kirklees, taught herself to walk again - now she's preparing to walk the catwalk in a national modelling competition.
She suffers from a condition called joint hypermobility, which causes pain and stiffness from having very flexible joints. A keen gymnast and dancer for years, she was suddenly stopped in her tracks by the syndrome which left her in a wheelchair for over a year.
Forced to give up her active lifestyle because of her condition, Holly started doing some amateur modelling from her wheelchair and playing with sitting down poses and found that she enjoyed it.
She had an operation in 2019 and was left fearing that she'd never walk again after it was unsuccessful.
However, following a second surgery on her legs, she started to become more mobile and managed to teach herself to walk again with the help of crutches.
Image: SWNS
It was at this point in her recovery that she discovered she had made it into the final of the Teen Top Model Girl UK 2021 modelling competition - something that strongly motivated her to not only master walking, but also to perfect her catwalk strut ahead of the final.
According to Holly, it provided all the motivation she needed to persevere with the slow and often frustrating process of learning to walk again.
Now, with just a few weeks to go, she's finally able to walk unsupported - and says that no matter the outcome in the competition she feels like a winner for her achievements.
Speaking to the YEP, she said: "I couldn't even stand up at the start of this year - I've come a long way.
"I've not even competed yet but I'm already so proud of myself - but I can't wait to walk the catwalk, which is what I'm most excited for."
Feature image -SWNS.
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Leeds City Council confirms plans to repair historic Lower Kirkgate with work set to begin this month
Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.
Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.
Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.
“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.
“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”
Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.
Canadian rock legends Nickelback announce Leeds gig on huge world arena tour
Clementine Hall
Nickelback announce world arena tour in support of their new album - and they're coming to Leeds.
The Canadian rockers will be bringing their biggest hits as well brand-new music to arenas around the world.
Formed in Hanna, Alberta, the band made up of Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger and Daniel Adair, have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide.
Best known for rock anthems including Rockstar, Photograph and How You Remind Me, Nickelback have built up a huge global following over the course of their career.
The upcoming tour will see the band celebrate their new album, Everything Under The Sun, and they'll be kicking off the UK leg of the tour right here in Leeds at the First Direct Bank Arena.
The tour follows their record-setting Get Rollin' world tour, and will once again take them to venues across North America, Europe, and Australia.
The group have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide, and achieved billions of streams across digital platforms.
Their new album will be released at the end of the month on Friday 30 October, so you'll have plenty of time to get to know their new tracks before they come to Leeds on Saturday 22 May 2027.
They'll be supported on the tour by Don Broco, an English four-piece featuring Rob Damiani, Simon Delaney, Tom Doyle and Matt Donnelly. Known for their genre-defying sound and dynamic approach to modern rock.
Nickelback 2027 UK Tour Dates in full
22 May - Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
24 May - London The O2
28 May - Birmingham Utility Arena
1 June - Glasgow Ovo Hydro
2 June - Manchester Co-op Live
Tickets for Nickelback at the Leeds First Direct Arena go on sale next Friday 16 October and you can get yours HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
10th September 2021 
