COMPETITION is hotting up for one Barnard Castle teenager as the final of a beauty pageant with a difference draws near.
Meghan Daniels, 19, is one of 23 finalists in this years’ Miss Tees Valley competition, which aims to promote community spirit as well as beauty. Finalists are encouraged to raise funds for charity and points are awarded to each finalist for a variety of different elements.
And with a few weeks to go before the winner is announced Miss Daniels is busy trying to add to the £2,100 she has already raised for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice and Middlesbrough Football Foundation.
Miss Daniels said: “Initially I did set myself a goal of raising £2,000 so I am amazed I have managed to do that, but I’ve raised my target to £2,500.”
The teenager, who is on holiday from university where she is studying for a childcare degree, has plenty of ideas on how to bring in this extra cash ahead of the grand final on August 31. As well as holding down two part time jobs she has organised a race night at Glaxo Social Club on Saturday, August 11, where people can name horses and jockeys for a fee and is expected to be fun evening. The following morning Miss Daniels is competing in a sponsored 10k run at Darlington.
She said: “I never thought I would get this far in the competition. So I am just going all out to raise as much money as possible and enjoy the experience as much as possible.
“My mum does marathons all the time and she’s helping me get me fit.
“It’s a bonus really as this year the competition has a sports element to it and I may have to do a boot camp as well.”
She will also pack bags at Morrisons with her charity buckets by her side and will also be hosting a coffee morning at the town’s cricket club where there will be face painting for children.I’m really pleased with how things have gone so far and I have to say a massive thanks to everyone who has supported me and were kind enough to donate raffle prizes,” said Miss Daniels.
The grand finale will take place on Friday, August 31 at a black tie gala evening in Middlesbrough. Contestants will take part in a four stage catwalk show before the winner with the most points is announced.
Miss Daniels said she has already purchased her evening dress but has yet to start practising walking in it.
Online donations can be made to uk.virginmoney giving.com/MeganDaniels1.
People are also encouraged to vote for their favourite finalist for the Miss Photogenic section of the competition.
People can vote for Miss Daniels by visiting facebook.com/missteesvalleyofficial