Rugby player takes on Miss World pageant for charity: needs gown

By Joshua Baillie —

Miss World Canada finalist Gwen Elliot doesn’t just want to be a beauty queen, she wants to be a national role model.

That’s why the 20-year-old Downtown resident is trying to raise a record amount of money for Miss World Canada’s choice charity: SOS Children’s Villages Canada. It’s an international organization that provides homes and family-based care to orphaned children.

“I’ve done the research as to what the money will actually do … I know it’ll make a big impact,” Elliot said.

Her target is $20,000, which would eclipse the previous record by $5,000, and she’s confident she’ll hit her mark by the national finals starting March 17.

“People say ‘$20,000 in this terrible economy, are you serious?’” she said. “But it’s karma. If somebody donates money they will feel good about what they’re doing and it’ll come back to them tenfold.”

Elliot’s optimism isn’t unprecedented. She has a reputation for setting her sights high and winning her own battles.

She works three jobs to pay for her undergrad at Ryerson University, was her high school’s star rugby player and is one of 45 Miss World Canada finalists—despite zero beauty pageant experience.

The contestant who raises the most money for SOS Children’s Villages is fast-tracked into the top 15 and the winner represents Canada at the world finals in Johannesburg, South Africa.

But now she’s asking for all the help she can get.

She also needs to find a sponsor who will provide a dress for the evening gown portion of the competition. Her email address is: gwen_elliot@rogers.com.