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18/01/2018
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18th January
Joe Langstaffe @BarryNewsJoe
VOTING for the Miss Wales beauty pageant has now opened, with three girls from the Vale of Glamorgan among those competing for the coveted prize.
Ellie Cousins, 19, from Barry, is joined by fellow 19-year-old Hanna Davies, of Llantwit Major, and 20-year-old Jade Detheridge, of Penarth, as the Vale’s representatives in the competition. Thirty-eight girls from across Wales will battle it out to be crowned Miss Wales 2018, with the winner gaining entry to the renowned Miss World pageant later in the year.
The trio will be hoping to follow, at least partially, in the footsteps of Helen Morgan, the former model from Barry who was the last Welsh woman to triumph in the Miss World finals back in 1974. Ms Morgan was something of an infamous victor however, being forced to relinquish her crown over revelations regarding her private life.
Among this year’s contestants is Miss Cousins, a law student at the University of South Wales, who said she wanted to get involved in Miss Wales to be a role-model for women who lacked confidence in themselves.
“Happiness and a smile can overcome any hate,” said Miss Cousins.
“I just feel like we need to encourage people not to be made to feel that they’re ‘different’. It’s our own exclusive features that make us ourselves.
“I’d also like to raise more awareness about how girls are treated in society. Historically, we’ve been told that women can be successful, but not too successful. It’s about having confidence, knowing what you want and going out and getting it.”
As well as being a beauty pageant, Miss Wales strives to have a positive impact on good causes and has helped raise nearly £500,000 for children’s charities since 2004.
This year’s Miss Wales contestants will be responsible for raising as much money as possible for ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ - Miss World’s global charity – in the run up to the final.
Miss Cousins says she has already been looking into different ideas on how to raise money, including a ladies treatment night which she hopes to host in House of Cocoa Tanning salon in Barry later this month. She also hopes to arrange a charity ball, and wants to visit children at the Princess of Wales Hospital’s children’s cancer unit in Bridgend.
But all three girls from the Vale are agreed on why they wanted to be involved in the competition.
Miss Davies said: “More than anything it was a confidence thing and to meet new people.
“I’ve never been very confident, but meeting all the girls from the different regions has really built that.”
She added: “I’ve always been involved in charity work and that appealed to me. It just makes you feel good about what you’re doing.”
And Miss Detheridge agreed, saying: “I entered just to boost my confidence and to build friendships.
“I’d love to raise some money for the charity and learn some new skills.”
The Miss Wales 2018 final is being held at The Riverfront arts centre in Newport on Saturday, April 28. Voting has now opened for the competition, with the full list of participants available to view here.
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