A woman from Andover who has reached the final of Miss Hampshire 2026 says she is determined to use the platform to raise awareness of the challenges faced by deaf people and support charities close to her heart.
Charlotte Cockcroft, who is a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), will represent Hampshire in the Miss Hampshire 2026 final later this year and hopes her journey will inspire others to pursue their dreams while helping important causes.
Speaking about discovering she had been selected as a finalist, Charlotte admitted she was overwhelmed.
“I was really stunned,” she said. “I remember squealing to myself and was like ‘stop!?’. I entered the competition just a couple of weeks before the closing date for it.”
For Charlotte, the competition is about far more than appearances. Growing up as a CODA has shaped much of her life and inspired her passion for advocacy.
“Being a CODA is the most important part of who I am,” she explained. “I’ve seen how difficult the hearing world can be for deaf people. The complications, the barriers, and I hate to say it but the ignorance of it has made me fight more and become so adamant on making change.”
Charlotte hopes to use the Miss Hampshire platform to encourage more people to learn basic British Sign Language and to better understand the deaf community.
“I want to bring more attention to deaf people, and how important communication is,” she said. “I want to break the barriers and the disadvantages that deaf people face in everyday life.”
As part of her Miss Hampshire journey, Charlotte is raising money for three charities: Cancer Research UK, A-Sisterhood and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
The causes are deeply personal. Charlotte revealed that when she was just ten years old, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“My mother fought it and is a true warrior, an inspiration and a very strong woman in my life,” she said.
She also wants to support women affected by domestic violence through A-Sisterhood and help deaf people through Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, explaining that the support these specially trained dogs provide can be life-changing.
“The thought of deaf people alone without a companion actually breaks my heart,” she said. “Support is so needed and when these dogs are trained to help people, they make life that bit easier for them.”
Charlotte believes pageantry is often misunderstood and says one of the biggest misconceptions is that competitions focus solely on appearance.
“The competition is not about who the prettiest is,” she said. “It is everything to do with community, people, charity work, giving back to people around you.”
She added that contestants spend significant time preparing behind the scenes, including fundraising, charity work, fitness training and perfecting their stage presence.
Away from pageantry, Charlotte works at The Fragrance Shop and has a background in acting and modelling. She is also preparing to begin a Masters degree in Acting and Theatre Making later this year.
Despite her busy schedule, she remains committed to supporting her parents and helping them navigate everyday life.
“For some of you locals reading this, you may see me around town with my parents,” she said. “I help them communicate in and around town.”
The Miss Hampshire 2026 final will take place at the Novotel in Southampton on 19th July from 7pm until 10pm. The winner will then progress to the Miss Great Britain National Final in Leicester in October 2026.
Charlotte says she cannot wait for the journey ahead.
“Hard work, endurance, perseverance and kindness,” she said. “I cannot wait to go through this journey with this community and for the county and keep everyone updated as I go.”
She is encouraging local people to support her fundraising efforts and help make a difference for the charities she is championing.
“The support matters, not just to me but to many people in this country and world,” she said. “It’s for my family, for me, for those who need the support. I won’t ever stop fighting.”