Sunderland’s Emily hopes to be hailed a tourism superstar for her role in helping Beamish Museum’s visitors

Beamish Museum has called on the North East to get behind Emily Hope in the competition.

The 25-year-old, who works as a team leader at the entrance to Beamish Museum, is on the shortlist of the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar after she was hailed the Durham Tourism Superstar last year.

She is one of 10 vying for the top title, with the region urged to get behind her in a vote ahead of the deadline on Tuesday, April 2.

Emily, who started working at Beamish as a partnerships assistant in 2015, has also helped train up more than 100 of the museum’s Dementia Friends, the Alzheimer’s Society’s programme to change people’s perceptions of dementia and how people think, act and talk about the condition.

As part of her entry into the Superstar competition, Emily has already travelled to London to help celebrate the 30th birthday of VisitEngland and meet her fellow nominees in the challenge.

Emily studied at Southmoor Academy an St Anthony’s Catholic Girls’ Academy Sixth Form and went on to take a degree in English literature and history at Northumbria University, before working at Schuh in The Bridges.

She said: “I’ve always loved Beamish and history and my grandparents used to take us all the time when we were little and I saw a job and thought there would be no better place to work.

“I’ve loved every single day since.

“As a team leader at the entrance I make sure people get the best welcome when they come and a big smile and have sure they have a good time as they leave us after their day.”

Emily, from Mill Hill, said her friends and family, including mum Ingrid, 59, dad Jim, 58, brother Jack, 28, and her partner Danny Frankish, 26, had been all behind her in her bid to win the prize.

“I was absolutely over the moon when I found out, I was gobsmacked, and I have to say Beamish have really been behind it,” said Emily, who often wears Edwardian dress, but has other outfits to match the theme of special events being run at the museum.

The deadline for the vote is Tuesday, April 2.

“My family is delighted and they keep telling everybody they meet to vote.

“I’m so proud of the Beamish campaign and has been trying to get the whole North East behind me as the only North Eats finalist.”

Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s deputy director, said: “We are thrilled that our very own Emily Hope has made it through to the Tourism Superstar national final.

“Emily is passionate about her role, the museum and the region and is dedicated to ensuring that visitors receive an excellent welcome.

“Please vote for Emily, she’s a superstar and truly deserves your vote.”

The winner of the competition will be announced on Wednesday, April 6.

To find out more and how to vote, visit www.beamish.org.uk/vote-for-emily/.