Top left: Some of the volunteers
Top right: Signing up members of the public
Middle left: Miss Sheffield
Middle right: Any dream will do for these young amirers of Rob McVeigh
Bottom: Volunteers and their guests Over 80 sign up for Parkgate Sleep-Out launch The Big Sleep out at Parkgate on October 24 in aid of Safe@Last has already attracted over 80 volunteers following the very successful launch on Friday evening (August 1). Entertainment was provided by local drama, dance and music groups. Rotherham’s Rob McVeigh – “Bob the Builder” - from BBC1’s Any Dream Will Do was the main attraction, and treated the large audience to a medley of popular songs. Glamour was present in the shape of current Miss Sheffield, Jaime-Lee Faulkner, and Meredydd Hughes, Chief Constable of South Yorkshire, was present to show his support. Both Jamie-Lee and Meredith signed up for the October Sleep-Out. Volunteers worked hard to ensure that the many visitors enjoyed themselves, and also recognised the importance of signing up. Sustenance was provided in the form of a massive 6 feet sandwich donated by Subway. Marks and Spencer and Greggs also kindly donated food for the evening. SAFE@LAST is a registered charity that works with young people in South Yorkshire who are at risk through running away from home. Last year in order to raise funds and awareness of the issues surrounding running away over 30 supporters of the charity, including their patron Lord Scarborough, slept rough on the tarmac at Parkgate in Rotherham in temperatures below 10°C. “With 80 signed up already, the 2008 event will raise more funds and draw even more attention to this worthy cause,” says Denis Copeland, Manager of Parkgate Shopping. More details, and sponsorship forms, are available from Safe@Last: T: 01909 566977 www.safeatlast.org.uk 
 Eyes on Miss England title
By Martin Dawes
TOO old to be a Teen Queen at 18, Jaime-Lee Faulkner, the new Miss Sheffield, is getting ready for a tilt at the Miss England finals next month.
The night before she'd just done a photoshoot with the 49 other finalists in London so she'd had a chance to size up the opposition.
"I was nervous but excited at the same time. After seeing all the other contestants it got me more nervous but they are all really nice girls," she says.
It was a surprise to Jaime-Lee, a beauty therapist who works in her parents' Brinsworth hairdressing salon, Faulkner's, when her name was called out at the Miss Sheffield finals at the Walnut Club Champagne Bar in May.
She'd never entered a beauty contest before and would never have thought about it until she was talent spotted at The Clothes Show.
"They wanted me to enter Miss Teen Queen UK but I was too old," says Jaime-Lee, who will turn 19 on July 2. So they told her about Miss England instead.
She lives at Treeton, near Rotherham with her parents Jill and Paul and brother Callum but reckons she's got Sheffield qualifications because she went to Brantwood and Handsworth schools and is now a student at the Sheffield School of Health and Beauty.
Since she's won she had a round of media interviews and personal appearances and is now a veteran at answering those familiar, well-worn questions.
Such as, aren't beauty contests demeaning to women?
"It's a great opportunity. There are lots of girls out there wanting to do it but don't have enough confidence. That was me until I tried," she says.
"We get called airheads but there are some very clever girls in it."
And, she says, you get the chance to have your voice heard. She's very taken by the SAFE@Last charity for which she made an appearance.
Nevertheless, Miss England takes no chances. Jaime-Lee has sailed through the Miss England Masterclass where she was taught how to answer questions, deportment and pulled up for slouching her shoulders.
Brunette, at 5ft 7in before she gets into her high heels, she's looking forward to the final on July 18 at the Troxy in London's Docklands. The whole family will be there along with Aaron Turner, her boyfriend of the last two years.
She's also got her own website up and running: www.jaimeleefaulkner.co.uk
At stake is entry to the Miss World contest, this year in the Ukraine, and the $100,000 first prize. So far, the prizes have been rather modest – a Miss Sheffield sash, photo shoot, couple of bikinis and a free pampering at Champneys.
"I'm saving that for just before the final," she says.
Jaime-Lee will be parachuted through to the final 20 girls if she gets enough votes on wwww.missengland.info
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