Miss Durham 2026 Nicole Hanson has completed a 115ft charity abseil in London, raising her total for charity to £1,600 as she prepares for the next stage of her Miss GB journey.
The 22-year-old from Darlington travelled from the North East to take part in the challenge at the Francis Crick Institute. The descent took her down the side of the biomedical research centre, one of the UK’s leading facilities for scientists studying disease and developing new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it.
A challenge outside her comfort zone
Hanson had never attempted an abseil before and said the height made the challenge daunting as she stood 115ft above London. However, after taking her first step, the nerves gave way to excitement.
She completed the descent and enjoyed the adrenaline of seeing London from a different perspective. By the time she reached the ground, the experience had become one she was looking back on positively.
The fundraising challenge forms part of a wider year of activity for Hanson. Her first year in pageantry has involved more than wearing a sash and representing her title. It has included fundraising, community work and taking on opportunities designed to push her beyond her comfort zone.
Bringing pageantry and car culture together
Hanson has also used her Miss Durham platform alongside her involvement in the automotive community. She is the founder of Abarth Track Sisterhood, a community supporting and connecting women involved in cars, motorsport and track culture.
Rather than keeping those interests separate, she has brought them together during her Miss Durham year. Her journey has involved building a women’s automotive community, attending track days, raising money for charity and representing the Durham region through pageantry.
The abseil became another example of that approach: a personal challenge that also supported a charitable cause and created a lasting experience during her year as Miss Durham.
Next stop: Miss Great Britain
Hanson’s next major milestone will come on 16 October, when she is due to compete for the title of Miss Great Britain. She will represent Durham and the North East at the event.
After a year combining fundraising, community work, pageantry and automotive interests, she is now preparing to take what she has learnt to the Miss Great Britain stage.