Beauty queen has sights on Texas crown
She's wowed the judges in Britain and soon beauty queen Karen Wilcox will be jetting off to America to compete for another crown.
At 54, she's proving age is no obstacle to taking part in pageants after sashaying her way to the title of Young European International Ms Classic at Brierley Hill Civic Hall in November.
And this June, Karen, who lives in Lower Gornal, will fly out to Texas to represent the UK at the finals where she hopes to impress the judges and return home with another title.
As part of preparations she recently met up with her sister queens and fellow pageant category winners, for a photo shoot at the Ramada Hotel Wolverhampton.
The mother and grandmother, who is also a mature model and competes in the 46 and over category, believes you are never too old to follow your dreams and hopes to inspire others to follow her lead.
"Achieving the title was overwhelming and an honour. I've had so much fun and laughter with my beauty queen sisters," said Karen.
Since beginning her beauty pageant journey, she has also thrown herself into her charity work, helping to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.
This has included charities supporting people affected by Parkinson’s and dementia – two causes which are close to her heart.
Her dad Alan Hadley, 78, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 17 years ago and has also been living with dementia for the past three and a half years.
"I have raised thousands of pounds for many charities across the borough over the last several years and I'm a trustee for the Saleem Foundation.
"It keeps me very busy but I love every minute when I know I am helping good causes," said Karen.
Pageant director Jeyanne Nicole said: "Young European International Pageant is a system set up with the intent of empowering women everywhere.
"We have an open platform policy that allows and encourages girls from age seven and upwards to support the charities and organisations of their choice whilst promoting themselves and their title."
Karen is looking for sponsors to help her continue her pageant journey and anyone who wants to help can contact her via her Facebook page Karen-Young European International Ms Classic
