Model's charity mission, Teesdale Mercury

WHEN Abbie Steele was asked to raise a minimum of £250 during the recent Miss Cumbria contest, she had no idea it would be the start of a major charity bid.

Although the 19-year-old beauty, from Stainmore, came second in last month’s contest, she hasn’t let the disappointment get her down.

The teenager has been bitten by the fundraising bug and has vowed to carry out the duties that she would have performed had she won Miss Cumbria.

Abbie plans to organise a charity variety show, including local groups and acts, and a talent contest in aid of Cumbria’s air ambulance. Abbie said: “It’s something I never even thought about doing before but I really enjoyed raising the money during Miss Cumbria.

“The whole experience has been great and I fully intend to carry out the duties that I would have performed had I won the title of Miss Cumbria.”

She also hopes to organise several other smaller events such as charity cake stalls.

Just one point separated the overall winner of Miss Cumbria, Kirsty Day, and Abbie. As part of her Miss Cumbria campaign, Abbie was told to raise a minimum of £250 for the Variety Club Children’s Charity. 

Abbie, who is the daughter of farmers William and Julie Steele, appeared at Morrisons store, in Barnard Castle, on June 26 to collect funds.

On that day alone, she raised £219.49. Abbie also completed a 23-mile charity walk across Wild Boar Fell and the Nine Standards Rigg.

She said: “In total, I raised £560. I had so many people coming into Morrisions who said they saw the article in the Mercury. It was really good to have all the support.”

Abbie is a regular at the Melanie Edmondson’s School of Dance at The Witham Hall.