Chilly ocean swim is latest fundraising effort for Waterlooville pageant girl on a mission to help those in need

Miss Teen Pageant Girl West Sussex Cerys Hewson has been working hard to support good causes in the lead up to the Miss Teen Pageant Girl UK finals in July.

Cerys, 19, has raised more than £800 so far for her chosen charities Cancer Research UK and Uganda-based Kakembo Street Children’s charity.

Her latest challenge was to run into the cold sea while holding her pageant sash above her head.

Beauty therapist Cerys, who is in the process of completing a police constable degree application, said: ‘I had strangers supporting and cheering me on, it was so much fun. I managed to raise £245 in just over a week!

‘I chose to support these charities as my family has been personally affected by cancer and I wanted to give something back and support other families who may be going through something similar.

‘My dad introduced me to Steven, the founder of Kakembo Street Children’s charity, about a year ago now and ever since I saw the amazing work he does to support these children I wanted to give my best go at helping too!’

As well as creating her own fundraiser, Cerys has taken part in 10 online campaigns and awareness days for important causes such as a campaign to end domestic violence and sexual assault.

Cerys has been preparing for the final through interview training and practising her on-stage walk, as well as putting together her outfits for each stage of the pageant.

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Cerys said: ‘I am so passionate about promoting the pageant girl system and wanted to remind everyone that pageants are not about a nice dress and a pretty face.

‘We dedicate hours of our day to helping those in need and bettering our communities. I have raised £820 for my chosen charities and hope to reach over £1,000 by the finals in July.

‘Pageants are about supporting the women you meet and celebrating everyone’s individual achievements. I hope to put the pageant girl system on the map here in the south and make everyone proud with all I have achieved at just 19 years old!’

To follow Cerys’ pageant journey, find @missteenpgwestsussex on Instagram.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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