A BEAUTY pageant finalist from Cowdenbeath is hoping locals will help her raise money for Make-A-Wish UK.

Ashleigh Reid, 26, owner of the Treads and Threads business in the town, was runner-up in the Miss National Treasure last year, but her big wish for 2017 is to make over £1,000 for the charity that tries to make seriously ill children's dreams come true.

She told the Times: "I feel passionate about this charity. My friend was granted her wish – meeting Jessie J – before she sadly lost her battle with cancer at just 18-years-old.

"She had one other wish and that was to present trophies at the stock car racing. As I am a model manager who provides many of the British stock car circuits with trophy girls, I organised this, but sadly Jess passed away before fulfilling this wish.

"I began supporting Make-A-Wish-UK to help grant other young people with their wishes in memory of Jess, I didn’t make her wish come true but I aim to make other wishes come true in her memory."

Ashleigh will have a stall at tomorrow's Cowdenbeath Gala, with tombola and raffle prizes, and has organised a Fife Small Businesses day at Broad Street Centre on June 24.

Any donated prizes for the stall at the gala will be gratefully received and any business in the area that wants to advertise and sell their product is invited to get in touch about the event on June 24.

Ashleigh continued: "All donations large or small are greatly appreciated and will also be used towards a ladies evening and coffee morning in July.

"As a small business owner I know how difficult it can be to engage with the local community and that's why I came up with the Fife Small Businesses day. Stall holders will pay £5 and all the proceeds will go straight to Make-A-Wish.

"I began pageantry back in 2015 as my little sister Bethany (aged 7) was getting bullied at school. Having being bullied myself through primary and high school I knew how devastating and adverse the effects of this bullying could become.

"So I signed us up to our first pageant to help with Bethany’s confidence and boost her self-esteem.

"She went on to place as first runner up in Junior Crown & Glory Scotland 2015, her first ever pageant. She had little coaching or training and was outstanding. Since then her confidence has boomed!

"I am a finalist in this year's Miss National Treasure on June 25 and I am really hoping that I can get crowned with first place this year!"

Please get in touch with Ashleigh on 07557 261646 if you would like to help with any of her events.