Cumnock girl is one step closer to helping children in Africa - thanks to a national beauty pagent

Jan 11 2013 by Jennifer Buchanan, Ayrshire Post

Teenager Aida Leventaki has her heart set on winning a national beauty contest.

But the 15-year-old Kyle Academy pupil is less interested in being crowned Miss Teen Queen UK – and more focused on the chance to go to Africa.

The top competition prize is to travel to Africa to see the charity work carried out thanks to funds raised from the beauty pageant.

Aida, who has made it to the semi-finals, already dedicates some of her time to others, both animals and people.

Her family have a mini animal rescue centre at their home, in the grounds of Dumfries House near Cumnock, and look after dogs, sheep and geese that they have taken in.

And this Christmas the theatre school pupil asked for a microphone so she can visit care homes and sheltered housing complexes in the area and sing to the elderly people who live there.

So when the chance to go to Africa presented itself through the prestigious beauty contest, Aida jumped at the chance.

Her proud mum, Linda, said: “She’s heavily involved in charity work and she loves to perform, so her dream is to go on to drama school. If she becomes better known in her field, she can make more of a difference.”

Teen Queen UK has raised almost £90,000 for charity since it started.

Now that Aida has reached the semi-finals, she is one step closer to her dream.

But she still has to beat off competition from 18 other girls to make it to the final, and hopefully win the trip to Africa.

And it’s all down to public votes. To vote, call 0900 596 1000 and give the two digit number that corresponds to the girl of your choice.Aida’s number is 51.

Alternatively you can text TQ51 to 81319. Texts and phone calls cost 75p.

To find out more about the pageant and to see all the semi-finalists visit missteenqueenuk.com