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AMBASSADOR: Tina 'Charisma' Antwi

23-YEAR-old Tina Antwi, also known as Tina Charisma, from Croydon is in the running to represent Great Britain at the Miss Universe pageant.

Tina will be one of around 40 women taking part in the 2017 Miss Universe Great Britain competition in South Wales in July.

Before the competition, Antwi will be tasked with a series of challenges which includes fundraising for Strongbones, a charity which helps children from all over the UK with diseases of the bone.

The competition itself is a supporter of Indian charity Stop Acid Attacks, which works with survivors of acid attacks.

EXCITED: Tina 'Charisma' Antwi

Antwi says:

"Being a Miss Universe Great Britain finalist has given me the opportunity to be part of such a great campaign. I've been inspired to start arranging my fundraising activities already."

The Miss Universe final takes place from 13-15 July and includes an empowerment day led by one of the UK’s foremost leadership coaches; a celebration dinner with friends and family of the contestants and a catwalk show before a panel of judges from the beauty and fashion industry.

Antwi added:

“I am really excited to have been chosen as a finalist for Miss Universe Great Britain this year and will be doing all that I can in the next few months to prepare.

"I aim to help young people realise that beauty has a lot to do with what is on the inside and not just the outward appearance.

"Miss Universe is one of the biggest pageants in the world and I think it’s going to be a huge adventure as well as a lot of fun.”

REPRESENTING: Tina 'Charisma' Antwi is putting Croydon on the map

The Croydon local has previously served in Youth Parliament and has received several awards for her contribution to the community. She was nominated for Young Person of the Year in 2014 amongst other accolades.

Antwi currently works with a social integration charity helping young people build skills for work and life. In addition, to this she received a prize for her research paper on race and identity.

As well as getting the opportunity to represent the UK for around three weeks at an exotic overseas location later this year at Miss Universe, the winner of Miss Universe Great Britain will also visit India to support the Sheroes Hangout initiative which helps women who have been the victim of acid attacks.

National Director of Miss Universe Great Britain, Paula Abbandonato, said:

“Pageantry in the UK is more popular than ever before and we have the most amazing line-up of young women from England, Scotland and Wales vying for the crown this year. It’s going to be an excellent competition and I wish them all the very best of luck.”

Antwi is currently in the throes of planning a fundraising gala for the Indian charity, which takes place on the 27 May:

"It is going to be quite a night to remember as I will be hosting a high calibre of guests from a number of industries
including CEOs, entrepreneurs, those in the fashion, film and media industries, vloggers,bloggers and politicians all under one roof. They will enjoy a three-course meal and free champagne at a super-stylish luxury restaurant in the middle of London, with a chance to take part in networking and hear from great speakers.

"The whole event is supposed to be in an effort to raise money for victims of acid attacks as I said earlier, but I want it also be celebration bringing such amazing people to fill the whole room with inspiration."

For more information on the event, contact Tina on Instagram @verostina

For more information on Miss Universe in Great Britain, click here.

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