A KINMEL Bay teenager who secured a place as a prestigious performing arts school after being bullied at her previous school is to perform at Chester Pride.
Ella-Grace Pritchard, who turned 13-years-old on Wednesday, August 9, will take to the main stage at Chester Pride on Saturday, August 19. The annual colourful celebration, which is ticketed this year, attracts crowds of 20,000.
Ella-Grace attends the Hammond School in Chester.
Mum Ceri Ann Pritchard said since starting at the school, her daughter is a different person.
She said: "I am super proud of her. We had to fly to Scotland twice for her to sing for Aberdeen Pride and also Sunderland. The Hammond dancers will also be dancing on the main stage for Chester Pride.
"Ella-Grace is doing absolutely amazing at her school. She has made friends for life there. Her confidence is growing and her school reports were outstanding and she can’t wait to go back to school in September. It is so refreshing. She has been through so so much but has come so far and I couldn't be more proud.
"She loves everything about the LGBTQ plus community. She believes everyone should be who they want to be, for people to believe in themselves and celebrate because 'love is love'. She loves all the drag queens and is obsessed with Rupaul’s drag race. That is when her obsession with drag queens began."
Ella-Grace started at the Hammond School in late 2022.
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After a month of tears, home-schooling and visits to the GP, starting at the school was the fresh started Ella-Grace desperately needed.
Ella-Grace has recorded a CD which she sells at gigs.
Ceri added: "She saves up every single penny she makes from them. She wants to donate all the proceeds to charity. Her favourite charities are Mind, Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.
"She believes mental health is really important. We have had family members pass away as a result of mental illness, cancer and heart conditions.
"So far she has raised £1,600. She is beaming with pride - she is not only helping these causes but getting her music out there."
Ella-Grace will be singing three songs at Chester Pride. Visit chesterpride.co.uk for tickets.
The event will start at 12pm with a parade through the city centre. Entertainment on the main stage starts at 1pm.
When purchasing tickets, supporters are asked to pay "what they can".
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