Sisters go up against each other in a beauty pageant

Sibling rivalry was put to the ultimate test when Marley Cooper, representing Gosport and Fareham, was pitted against her sister Mari-Jade, representing Winchester, in the final of their first beauty pageant.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Mar 2016, 06:11 BST
From left: Marley Cooper, Ali Salih, the owner of Fareham Hand Car Wash and Mari-Jade Cooper Picture: Malcolm Wells (160124-5524)From left: Marley Cooper, Ali Salih, the owner of Fareham Hand Car Wash and Mari-Jade Cooper Picture: Malcolm Wells (160124-5524)
From left: Marley Cooper, Ali Salih, the owner of Fareham Hand Car Wash and Mari-Jade Cooper Picture: Malcolm Wells (160124-5524)

The Cooper sisters, Mari-Jade, 18, and Marley, 14, both made it through to the finals of the UK Miss Teen Galaxy beauty competition, which took place in The Park Hall Hotel in Lancashire last month.

The pair put in months of work, which saw them fundraise around Fareham, Gosport and Winchester, and even lending a hand at their sponsor’s business Fareham Hand Car Wash in Western Road.

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Despite not winning the competition, the girls are now gearing up for their next pageant.

Motorists are often caught in long traffic jams due to accidents on the A32 or A27. Picture: Ian HargreavesMotorists are often caught in long traffic jams due to accidents on the A32 or A27. Picture: Ian Hargreaves
Motorists are often caught in long traffic jams due to accidents on the A32 or A27. Picture: Ian Hargreaves

Mum Tina Cooper said: ‘They spent weeks finding the perfect outfit, practising what they were going to say when 
they’re up on stage and practising their walks.

‘It’s been a whirlwind of activity but it’s been fun.’

The sisters have been busy doing their bit for charity in the run-up to the finals, raising around £700 for their chosen charities. A Christmas raffle raised £600 for children’s charity Together for Short Lives, and a fundraising car wash raised over £100 for The Christie Cancer Charity.

Tina said: ‘They love that side of it all.

Motorists are often caught in long traffic jams due to accidents on the A32 or A27. Picture: Ian HargreavesMotorists are often caught in long traffic jams due to accidents on the A32 or A27. Picture: Ian Hargreaves
Motorists are often caught in long traffic jams due to accidents on the A32 or A27. Picture: Ian Hargreaves

‘It’s a nice way for them to help out and put a smile on people’s faces.

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‘The girls took presents to the hospital in Winchester at Christmas and we received a lovely thank-you from the children there, which was really nice.’

The girls both won a modelling contract from Tulip Model Agency in Portsmouth and are sponsored by Fareham Hand Car Wash.

Marley attends Henry Beaufort School in Winchester, while Mari-Jade goes to Peter Symonds School in Winchester.

Mari-Jade said: ‘I’m delighted to have got that far. I was nervous but it was great.

‘I would have loved to win but there was a lot of strong competition.

‘It would have been a massive confidence boost.

‘It would be amazing to win it.’

Related topics:WinchesterFarehamGosport