STEVENSTON mum Stacey McIlroy has been crowned the top title in a UK pageant for her efforts in raising thousands of pounds for a little boy diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

The 35-year-old mum-of-three won Woman Miss Crown and Glory UK at the glittering Crown and Glory Pageant in Wrexham on Saturday, April 23.

She was supporting nine-year-old Dean Puplett’s £250,000 treatment fund to help him in his fight against neuroblastoma.

Stacey, who owns Starla Hairdressers in Saltcoats, told the Herald: “I’m really, really buzzing. It just feels so surreal.

“Me wee boys have been running around the house wearing the crowns, so I’ve had to hide them.

“The Crown and Glory managing director phoned me to say that my profile has gone through the roof in the pageant world over the last few days. I’ve been getting loads of friend requests on Facebook – it’s all gone a bit mad!”

As the Herald reported recently, Stacey was fundraising for Dean Puplett from Wales, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was just three. The young mum was moved by Dean’s story because he is the same age as her oldest son Johnstone.

Stacey scooped three out of the four rounds at the pageant – Fashion wear, Evening wear, Interview, and Swimwear – and went on to win Miss Charity before she was crowned overall winner in the women’s category.

She is now looking for sponsors so that she can go on to the next round – representing the UK in Paris next year for the Face of Europe and the World.

Stacey said: “My initial reason for entering was to raise money for Dean. I got to meet Dean and his family on the night so it was well worth it.

“I had spoken to them before online but that was the first time I’d met them in person. They’re a lovely family.

“Since August last year until now I have altogether raised £8,600 for Dean Puplett, which is a fantastic amount in such a short time.

“It was really amazing because Crown and Glory have been running this for just over three years and they’ve raised over £45,000 for Dean. I only started this a few months ago and I’ve managed to raise just under £10,000 of that. It’s a lovely feeling.”

You can visit Stacey’s Just Giving page here.