Pageant raises over £10,000

Taylor-Rae, the Director of Mini Miss European NI, said she was ‘gobsmacked’ after the event at Iveagh Movie Studios on Sunday May 3, raised £10,033.80.

This brings Taylor-Rae’s grand total to over £38,000 raised for Make-A-Wish over the past three years.

Taylor-Rae commented: “I’m gobsmacked. I can’t believe how much has been raised.

“At the events the girls have the opportunity to fundraise for Make-A-Wish and the girl who raises the most money receives a sash, a crown and a photoshoot.

“We had girls holding bake sales, a sponsored ice skate, boot sales, it was fantastic.

“All monies raised were given to charity and Gail McKee from Make-A-Wish came along to count all the funds raised.

“Leah McGregor from Belfast was our biggest fundraiser.

“Personal 2 U sponsored the trophies for the winner and the charity winner.

“The day was fantastic, it went so smoothly. Everyone was so full of excitement, it was really good fun.

“Our winner was Stephanie Walsh, who will go to England in October to represent NI at Mini Miss European, against girls from England, Wales, Portugal, Malta, France, so fingers crossed she does well.

“Stephanie was also third in the Miss Charity contest,” Taylor-Rae added.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the funds we have raised,” Taylor-Rae continued.

“It’s all about feeling beautiful, there’s no fakeness, it’s all natural.

“It’s also about creating awareness for the girls. Beauty is about the kindness of your heart, not in the face.

“The difference this makes to the girls lives, it makes them learn valuable skills of kindness and generosity.

“It’s fun, too,” Taylor-Rae added.

“I will be taking my senior team to England in October, and we have the Junior and Mini Miss European events. Overall there will be over 100 girls competing from across Europe but I think my girls will do really well, they are such a beautiful bunch of girls. I am a proud mother hen,” said Taylor-Rae.