A NEWCASTLE Emlyn woman is to represent Carmarthenshire in this year’s Miss Wales competition.

Twenty-two-year-old Alice Walters is down to the final 40 out of the original entry of more than 1,000.

As part of the competition, Alice, who works for Antur Teifi in Newcastle Emlyn, will be fundraising for charity but she is also keen to be a role model to other people.

“I am currently studying level 3 business and administration through work-based training. My aspiration in life is to change the ‘can’t’ to ‘can’ by looking at the positive side of life," said Alice, who with her family has helped raise £40,000 for charity over the years.

“I want to be a role model to school leavers, especially to those that don’t want to take higher education route. There is a lot of pressure in school to attend university and I want to show that there are other options if university doesn’t appeal.

“There are programmes available, such as Job Growth Wales and apprenticeships that can guide you in the right direction, which helped me to be where I am today. Follow your own path and don’t be afraid of being different.”

Each month, Alice knits and donates chunky blankets to wheelchair users to keep them warm and trendy in the winter. She is also planning a walk to Pen-Y-Fan and is organising a 10-hour spinathon to raise money for the Miss World charity Beauty With A Purpose which helps disadvantaged children.

Alice added: “It’s great to be able to use my Miss Wales experience to help others. I’m having a lot of fun planning my event and am really pleased with all the support I’m getting from friends and family. I’m hoping to raise loads of money.”

If you’d like to donate to the charity, visit her Just Giving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/alice-walters3. She is sponsored by Mizz Congeniality Ltd and Bassmac Homes.

If you would like to support Alice on her quest to win Miss Wales, text ‘Welsh Alice’ to 64343. Votes cost £1 plus standard network charge, T&C’s apply – see Miss Wales website for further information. The girl with the most votes will receive 10 points on the leaderboard

The final takes place at The Riverfront in Newport, on Saturday, April 13.