UK 14 y.o to compete in EU ten-pin-bowling competition after generous donors raised more than £2,000

A 14-year-old girl will compete in a ten-pin-bowling competition after generous donors raised more than £2,000 for her to go.

Melissa Ainslie has been bowling since she was six months old, and inherited her love of the game from her family.

The schoolgirl was picked to represent Scotland at the European Youth Championships in April, which are being held in France.

Her family would have struggled to pay for her to go, so mum Kelly started a fundraiser for the plane tickets.

Mum-of-two Kelly, 39, and dad Allyn, 42, were both keen bowlers but had to give up due to ill health.

The competition is on April 9 and Melissa will come back nine days later.

She is putting in three hours a week training at Deer Park Country Club, Livingston, West Lothian, in preparation - after having 19 months with no bowling at all due to lockdowns.

Melissa, who already has 15 trophies, said: "I'm really happy everyone has tried to help, it's incredible.

"I'm going for my gran and the people who helped me to get there.

"I am one of eight people picked to represent Scotland.

This video was filmed on the 30th January 2022.