A five-year-old girl with Down's Syndrome has become a model for multiple big brands including JD Sports, CBeebies, and River Island, and her mum is very proud indeed.
Young Grace Castle, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, only began modelling two years ago but has already made a name for herself, with her poses and bubbly personality earning her repeat bookings.
So far, little Grace has landed deals with some of the best-known clothing brands in the UK, including JD Sports and River Island, and has also modelled in adverts for the likes of CBeebies and Children in Need.
Mum, Linda Castle, who runs a café in Garforth, is incredibly proud of her daughter's achievements and is thrilled that household name companies are now working to encourage diversity and inclusivity within their advertising.
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Linda, 44, said: "It's really interesting what we perceive as beauty because we're so used to seeing 'unreal' types of people used to sell clothes.
"Her friends from support groups love seeing her out there because everybody wants to see somebody who looks like them.
"I'm so proud to see different people beginning to be represented and I think the media is taking a huge step. There is still a long way to go to change what we perceive as normal but it's refreshing to see brands becoming more integral and real in their approach".
Grace, who was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome at birth, fortunately, faces no major health complications apart from a small hole in her heart.
Linda recalled: "When she was born, the staff at the hospital had a bit of a mixed reaction as some people do when you give birth to a child with a disability but it really was one of the happiest days of our lives.
"When she got to eight months old, we began looking online for support groups to see what was out there for her situation. It was a surprising diagnosis and we were trying to figure out what could be done for her situation".
She continued: "We came across a group in Scunthorpe which initially did dance and drama for children with learning difficulties but then it became a modelling agency and we wanted to try it for a bit of fun.
"She was on their books and we went done to London for her first shoot with the clothing company, Boden and she ended up in their catalogue which was amazing".
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According to Linda, bookings were a bit quiet during lockdown, and it was a pleasant surprise when the bookings started pouring in.
Linda said: "We've recently been flown out to Spain for a shoot - Grace absolutely loves the camera and has a great time doing it.
"During the River Island shoots, she gets to play or do an activity and they take candid photos of her. It's just all for a bit of fun and the money can go towards her future".
Grace is Linda and Nick Castle's youngest child, family and her siblings Josh, 14, Kara, 13, and Brooke, 8, are said to be super proud of their stylish little sister, as are her pals at school.
Linda added: "Everyone in her school knows her and the mums and kids loved seeing her pop up on their TV - she's got a bit of a celebrity status on the playground!"
Do you have a more hopeful story to share? We pay for stories. Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com
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