Hartlepool beauty contest winner gives hard-up prom queens a helping hand

Miss Tees Valley 2016, Ellie Tyers, 17, from Hartlepool, has started a campaign to gather donated prom dresses and accessories for youngsters who aren’t able to afford the designer dresses and accessories that go hand in hand with prom night.

Ellie, who attended Dyke House School, said: “I started the campaign after I decided to donate my own prom dress to a school.

“When the teacher arrived to collect it, it was brought to my attention that there were still some girls who could not afford the expenses of prom, meaning they would not be able to go without help.”

After her post on Facebook calling for donations, Ellie has so far collected dresses, shoes, bags, make-up, nails and accessories to give away.

“The response we have received has been phenomenal! I was lost for words with how much of an amazing community we live in; we’ve had so many donations and still many more dresses to collect.  

“We’re aiming to help as many girls as possible, and hopefully soon we will be able to provide suits for boys.”

Taking into account dresses, shoes, the luxurious transport, tans, hair and make-up artists, jewellery and the ticket to attend, Prom can now cost more than £1,000 for one student for the night.

Ellie will represent the Tees Valley at the upcoming Supermodel England national final in November, where she has the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to represent England at an international modelling competition.