THE BOSS of an Anglesey mother whose 10-year-old daughter was hoping to represent Wales in a Texas pageant in June has donated £1,300 to cover return flights for both of them.

Macy Bates, from Valley, was crowned junior title holder at the Young European Miss International (YEMI) pageant last month having spent the past few years raising more than £10,000 for numerous charities.

As a winner at this year’s YEMI event, Macy then had the opportunity to appear at another pageant in Texas this summer, and her mother Lisa’s boss, Ghulam Yasin, has kindly donated enough money to pay for their travel costs.

Lisa, who works at the JET petrol station in Valley, said: “She hasn’t reached her overall target yet, but he’s paid for the flights.

“I just wanted to give him a bit of recognition with it being so much money, because it’s amazing.

“I was overwhelmed. We’ve had a lot of support from other businesses, so many that I couldn’t name them all, but for him to pay for flights, I was just overwhelmed, and so was she.”

Ghulam, who also, along with his staff donates to numerous foodbanks in Llanwrst each year, said he was happy to make Macy’s dream come true because it’s important to him to support his “small community” of his staff.

He added: “I really wanted to help as Lisa is a very good member of my team. She’s been there for a very long time, and you have to look after your staff.

“It’s like a small community; I like to help wherever I can. I don’t want to show off; it’s nothing of that nature. But wherever I can help out, I will do my best.

“I would like her (Macy) to have the chance to represent Anglesey, and her village, and also give her confidence for the future. That’s why I got involved.”

Much of Macy’s fundraising efforts have been in aid of the Holyhead Stroke Group, a charity close to her family’s heart which she and her relatives regularly make contributions to.

Last month, Lisa told the Chronicle: “My mum and I have been fundraisers for the Holyhead Stroke Group for just over 20 years due to my grandparents passing away from a stroke, and then Macey and my niece, Courtney, decided to join us.

“We did a campaign with the North Wales pageant girls to collect toiletries for hospitals during the pandemic, called ‘Feel Goodies’. She’s done a lot for the communities; we’ve held fun days, prize bingo events, she did ‘Splash for Cash’ on New Year’s Day.

“She’s got the option now to compete in Texas as a junior, but obviously, to do this, we’re looking for sponsors, but that’s where were hoping to get to. With flights and hotels, it’s going to cost about £3,500.”

To donate to the fundraiser set up for Macy, go to: www.gofundme.com/f/help-get-macy-to-texas.