The 20th anniversary of the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever award is a highlight of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards Prince Charles says he was inspired by some of his past winners
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Prince Charles recounts how he has been « greatly encouraged and inspired » by the young people who have won the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever gong at the Pride of Britain Awards over the past two decades
The prince said: « This year marks 20 years of the award and I have to thank Pride of Britain for their continued support
« This award celebrated 20 amazing young people who have benefited from the support of my Trust to help them change their lives Many are now helping to change the lives of others »
He spoke as his Prince’s Trust celebrated milestone in supporting a million young people since its launch in 1976
The 20th anniversary of the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever Award is a highlight of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, on ITV tonight at 9 p.m.
He congratulated this year’s winner, Rebecca Beattie, 32, who after suffering horrific domestic violence has created ethical clothing brand Always BU, which raises funds for charities for the domestic violence and, as an activist, inspired other victims
In 20 years millions of viewers have been inspired by the many worthy and remarkable winners
These are young people who have resisted crime, drug addiction or personal turmoil and are now helping others facing similar challenges in life
Here we find out what happened to some of these young people whose stories touched us all the most…
Prince’s Trust Ambassador Sir Ben Kingsley presented the award to Hezron at Pride of Britain 2019
Former gang member Hezron changed his life and now helps keep other kids away from gangs and the dangers of knife crime
At the age of five, Hezron fell into a boiling water bath and suffered severe burns Despite months of skin transplants at Birmingham Children’s Hospital he was badly scarred
This led to the bullying of other children, and as Hezron turned to violence to deal with it, he was kicked out of primary and secondary school
He first lived with his older sister, but when he was 15 he lived on the street Social services got him an apartment and he got a place at the university, but he was quickly drawn into gang life
Facing a long sentence for robbery, Hezron, now 30, was given a second chance by the judge, who did not jail him He left the court determined to change of life and returned to education
He remembers: « I knew the gang culture was bad, but I had been alone for so long, it was like family to me
« Guys tried to stab me with guns over my head, but it wasn’t until I considered up to 10 years in prison that I realized I had to get out »
After a Prince’s Trust program helped him find a job, he focused on helping others
Over the past seven years, he has told his story to thousands of young people to keep them away from gangs, drugs and violence, he has mentored hundreds of young people
In one of the highlights of last year’s Pride of Britain Awards, Hezron was thought to be heading to Scotland for an interview about his work, but was stunned when Prince Charles walked in with his award
« Hezron has not only overcome the most extraordinary obstacles to be successful in his life, but he is now changing the lives of others, » said the prince
Hezron said: « The meeting with Prince Charles was amazing and moving What the pride of Britain meant to me was that anyone, no matter where you are from or what that you’ve been through, can accomplish anything if you think about it
« I accepted this award not only for myself, but also for many other young people who may be struggling with what life has thrown at them
« I have since started my business More Talk More Action to inspire young people across the UK
« The Prince’s confidence has been a great support and I am now able to support other young people who want to create a positive future for themselves »
He added: « Even the foreclosure gave me opportunities. I suddenly had the free space and time to start my own studio as well as run a series of webinars which now allow me to » help young people wherever they are, everywhere in the world »
Prince’s Trust Ambassadors Sir Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster presented him with the award at Pride of Britain 2017
Katie survived the terrible beatings of her abusive ex – but continued to inspire thousands of other victims of domestic violence through social media and one-off sessions at her Liverpool beauty salon
In 2011, after a difficult time after the death of her boyfriend, Katie was finally getting back on her feet and trying to fulfill her childhood ambition to open her own salon
But she was trapped in a controlling relationship with an abusive partner and seemed destined to never achieve her dream
One night, her partner beat her so badly that he broke every bone in her face, and Katie spent three months in and out of the hospital to have her face reconstructed when ‘once her face collapsed, she underwent emergency surgery
Her partner was sent to prison but shut herself off from the world, suffering from depression and refusing to see people
It was her advisor who suggested that she meet the Prince’s Trust, who helped her regain her self-confidence and gave her the support, through their Company program, to finally open her salon in 2013
Katie, now 33, said: “Opening the salon was the happiest day of my life, but I wanted to use it for something other than hair and beauty
« I wanted to show women going through what I did that there is a way out There is life on the other side »
Every year on the anniversary of the attack, Katie repost photos of her badly beaten face on social media and get thousands of likes from abused women
She also asks her followers on social networks to nominate someone who is going through difficult times and who needs to be pampered
She said: « I know what it’s like to be at the bottom without hope It’s amazing what it can do for someone’s self-esteem just knowing that someone cares about them and wants to help him «
Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster presented Katie with her award and also pledged £ 10,000 to help her business
Penny said: « For Katie, sharing her story with so many other women who are going through the same thing, having her own business and moving forward, just shows her strength »
Katie said: « I always feel very surreal to have won the award – it was a magical night and it means a lot to me to know that my story may have helped other survivors of domestic violence
« I want the survivors to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that they can get through this and Pride of Britain has really helped to raise awareness of this important message »
She added: « The support the Prince’s Trust gave me in starting my own business, Bella Mode Salon, has made all the difference for me and I’m happy to say that I have also recently created a Katie Cares charity to help other survivors of domestic violence
« We are converting the rooms above the living room into a center for survivors of domestic violence and I am delighted that two of my Prince’s Trust mentors, who have helped me so much in my business, have joined me as trustees of my charity «
Francesca overcame depression and family issues to put together an inspiring soccer program for girls, helping them cope with issues such as low self-esteem, bullying and body image
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Fran was raised by her grandmother in Manchester at the age of 13 after her parents separated
Football allowed him to escape his troubles and his talent earned him a place in the Manchester City youth squad
At 16, she was about to accept a scholarship to play football in the United States but a groin injury ended her football career and her American dream
Fran, now 29, said: “The injury was heartbreaking because growing up in football had been my way of regaining my confidence »
She left Manchester and went to London with just £ 10 in her pocket She stayed on the friends sofas and became a youngster and a community worker
It was after becoming pregnant with her son Khyo that she had the idea of her football academy
« I needed to do something on my own », she said « I didn’t want my child to be treated like I was when I was growing up »
Coaching also allows Fran to talk to them about body image, self-confidence, bullying and many other challenges, while also giving them a career path
Fran ran Goals4Girls as a volunteer project for two years before joining the Prince’s Trust corporate program in 2015, which helped turn it into a business
Now a physical education teacher, she said: « I am passionate about helping young women reach their full potential »
Presenting him with the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever of the Year at the 2016 Pride of Britain Awards, Prince Charles said: « Well done Your remarkable story represents the importance of my Trust’s work »
She said: “Receiving the award from Prince Charles was humiliating One of the best things about receiving the award on the national stage is that it showed young women and girls in the BAME community that everything is possible – it brought down so many obstacles
« The Prince’s Trust has been an incredible support, even to this day I am in touch with my mentor and my business has now helped over 2000 young girls play soccer and build condifence through sport and education
« The Trust and the pride of Britain award played a big part in this achievement and in my life – I am so grateful »
Mark has gone from begging on the streets for money to fuel his drug and alcohol addiction to owning his own successful tree surgery business – and employs others as well. people who need a boost in life
Originally from the West Midlands, he spent 15 years in a vicious cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime, finally hitting rock bottom when he became homeless on the streets of London
A friend finally put him on a recovery plan and months later, free from the drugs but lacking in confidence and direction, he started to think about his life
He had previous experience as a tree surgeon and after several meetings with The Prince’s Trust they came up with a business plan and gave him the confidence to start his own business
Mark received a £ 1,500 loan and £ 1,000 grant from The Trust in 2001, and started his business, Treewise, from there, applying for an expansion loan a year later
He has employed up to eight people, owns three trucks and a lot of specialized equipment, and works for clients across the south
Mark, now 49, said: « I couldn’t even begin to think that I would end up with a home, a job and be normal, let alone my own business
« I thought I would end up dead behind trash cans in Westminster I was sitting in Oxford Circus staring at the others, wishing I was them I saw no way out »
Mark received his Pride of Britain award from Victoria Beckham, later saying: « It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized and to think that someone out there thinks this is an inspiring story
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« It also gives me a great opportunity to give something back to those people who, like me, have suffered from addiction. If I can do it then anyone can »
Pride of Britain Awards, Charles, Prince of Wales, The Prince’s Trust, Penny Lancaster, UK
News from around the world – UK – Prince Charles ‘inspired’ by the elders Young Achiever Laureates at Pride of Britain
