Abigail Curry is through to the final of the Teen Queen UK competition. Picture Ed clayton

Hornchurch teenager reaches final of national teen beauty contest

Safira Ali, Senior reporter Thursday, January 3, 2013
3:01 PM

A Hornchurch teenager who battled leukaemia as a child has gone on to become a finalist in a national teen beauty competition.

Abigail Curry, 15, is now counting on public votes to get her through to the next stage of the final of the Teen Queen UK competition.

The winner of Teen Queen UK will have the chance to win a modelling contract, front fashion and beauty campaigns, and represent the country in an international pageant.

Mum Sam said Abigail’s confidence had grown since entering the competition and she it was a far cry from the difficulties she faced as a toddler.

When she was two-years-old she was diagnosed with leukaemia and underwent three years of chemotherapy and surgery before she recovered.

Sam said: “We took her to A&E when we realised how ill she was, and the doctors said if we left it any longer she could have collapsed and it could have been worse.

“She was so poorly and was back and forth to the doctors. It was awful to see how ill she was when she was on steroids. But to see her now and how much she has recovered, it’s like she has grown into a beautiful swan.”

Sam added: “I’m more pleased about her new confidence. Getting down to the last 50 was such a big achievement and to now get to the final she is a winner already.

“She loves life, and appreciates it because of what she has been through and has raised money for cancer charities to try to help others.”

The public vote will close on January 15.

Other local finalists include Kim Oliver, 14; Katherine O’Rourke, 15; Niamh Bluemore, 13, all from Hornchurch; and Chelsea Abbey, 14, from Romford.

To vote for your favourite, log on to www.missteenqueenuk.com or call 0900 596 1000.