Women hope to represent South Yorkshire in national pageant finals

Three women hope to show off all that is great about South Yorkshire in the final stages of national modelling contests.
University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, 21, is a finalist in the Top Model UK 2016 competition.University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, 21, is a finalist in the Top Model UK 2016 competition.
University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, 21, is a finalist in the Top Model UK 2016 competition.

University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, from Walkley, is the only Sheffield finalist in this year’s Top Model UK competition.

Jaime-Lee Faulkner, from Treeton, is one of 40 finalists in Miss Universe Great Britain.

Jaime-Lee Faulkner, 26, from Treeton, is a finalist in Miss Universe Great Britain.Jaime-Lee Faulkner, 26, from Treeton, is a finalist in Miss Universe Great Britain.
Jaime-Lee Faulkner, 26, from Treeton, is a finalist in Miss Universe Great Britain.
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And Kimberley Davies, from Rotherham, has made it to the semi-final of Miss England.

Final year English literature undergraduate Melissa, aged 21, had never considered modelling until she was approached at a university event. But she has enjoyed the experience so far and is particularly focused on fundraising.

“The chosen charity is Children with Cancer UK, and I had to set up a Virgin Money Giving page to raise money,” she said.

“It’s up to us to spread the word and get people to donate money.”

Kimberley Davis, from Rotherham, is through to the Miss England semi-final.Kimberley Davis, from Rotherham, is through to the Miss England semi-final.
Kimberley Davis, from Rotherham, is through to the Miss England semi-final.
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So far £46 has been donated at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MelissaScott.

Melissa is looking forward to representing Sheffield in the final on April 1 and hopes to take something worthwhile from the experience.

“It would be good to represent a good cause and use modelling positively to promote diversity and things I believe strongly in.”

Salon manager Jaime-Lee has a history of pageant success, having won Miss Scuba International in 2013. She retired from competition shortly afterwards, but decided to come back for one last chance at becoming Miss Universe before she becomes too old.

University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, 21, is a finalist in the Top Model UK 2016 competition.University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, 21, is a finalist in the Top Model UK 2016 competition.
University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, 21, is a finalist in the Top Model UK 2016 competition.
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Jaime-Lee, a former Handsworth Christian School pupil, said: “Miss Universe is one of the biggest pageants in the world and due to my age this is the last year that I am eligible to enter. This has to be a positive as I will dig deep and use all my experience to be the best I can be.

“I love it and have a real passion for the whole ethos ‘empowering women’. Boxers and footballers don’t retire after winning an international title they keep up the hard work and try again.

“The competition will be extremely tough, there are some amazing women in the final but I will work hard and give it my all. I will definitely feel the pressure but I know I will have a lot of fun in the process while raising funds and awareness for another great cause.”

Support worker Kimberley Davies got both the judges’ and public’s vote in the latest regional heat of Miss England. She will now go head-to-head with 59 other women for one of the 10 places in the final on June 11.

University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, 21, is a finalist in the Top Model UK 2016 competition.University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, 21, is a finalist in the Top Model UK 2016 competition.
University of Sheffield student Melissa Scott, 21, is a finalist in the Top Model UK 2016 competition.
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Finalists will take part in a sports and eco fashion round, where they will create an outfit made from recycled materials, and will have to raise money for the Beauty with a Purpose charity.

Miss England national director Angie Beasley said: “The competition is about being beautiful inside and out, we are not just looking for a pretty face.”