Princes Trust challenge to businesses

PRINCE'S Trust Young Ambassador Kirsty Lynch has called on leading Exeter businesses to renew efforts in their challenge to raise £40,000.

The youth charity is half-way through its national fundraising challenge, Million Makers.

From left, Princes Trust Business Programme organisers and participants Jack Russell, Michelle Moran, David Fitzgerald, Julie Parker, Justin Sharples and Phil Watts LAURENCE UNDERHILL EE011008_LU05_04

The challenge has seen employees from 50 companies competing to raise the most money towards supporting young entrepreneurs on the Prince's Trust business programme.

After becoming involved with drugs, Kirsty was sent to prison for three years. After her release she took part in the Prince's Trust Team programme, a 12-week personal development scheme.

She now works with young people, supporting them to make positive decisions. Kirsty said: "The programme changed my life, it gave me confidence.

"People didn't think of me as a criminal — they treated me like a person. If I hadn't got involved with the trust, I don't know where my life would have gone."