Mr Gay UK Gives Away Pageant Winnings To Charity

08 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

by Paulette in Uncategorized Tags: Aids, hiv, Mr Gay UK, Pride, rainbow

Hairdresser Samuel Kneen, 22, who won the Mr Gay UK Contest wants to use part of his winnings to donate to charity – to support a friend struck down by HIV to raise awareness of the problems still caused by the disease.  The Toni and Guy hairdresser has already pledged a portion of his prize money to the Terrence Higgins Trust, a British charity that campaigns on issues related to AIDS and HIV.

The Mr Gay UK contest recently returned after a three-year gap, a move that organisers say was due to popular demand. Last time the contest was held, in 2009, the title was claimed by Dino Gamecho, a fellow Cardiff man.

Samuel, whose father and step-family live in Swansea, said he still can’t quite believe he’s been crowned the winner of the nationwide contest. He won the Cardiff heat at Pulse in September and made it through to the final five in Leeds in November. Samuel was crowned the winner by the three judges, including renowned photographer Jay Eff, Rob Gunns of gay dating site Manhunt UK and Hollyoaks actor Kieran Richardson.

The entrants were encouraged to get the public voting for them on the Mr Gay UK website. As well as garnering votes through social networks like Twitter and Facebook, Samuel put up posters in the city and appeared on local radio. Samuel says his confidence has improved, and that it was humbling to be so popular amongst voters.

The prizes included a break in Morocco, the opportunity to enter Mr Gay Europe and £2,000 in cash. He’s set to take his holiday later this year, and from the prize money, he’s giving a sum to a cause that’s close to his heart.