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12 December 2006
22-year-old Anna Chambers has beaten off hundreds of young people to scoop a Young Achiever of the Year award, sponsored by Countryside Properties, at an Oscar-style event, as part of The Prince's Trust's 30th anniversary celebrations.
The award was presented by Trust ambassador Stewart White, from BBC Look East. Over 450 guests, including local dignitaries, witnessed the moving and inspiring stories of the finalists at Newmarket Racecourse.
The Awards celebrate the achievements of disadvantaged young people supported by The Trust who have changed their lives and had a positive impact on the local community. The outstanding levels of support provided by the Prince's Trust volunteers and staff from partner organisations across the East of England are also recognised at the event.
Anna, from Leiston, Suffolk, has had to cope with unimaginable ordeals during her young life. After a traumatic childhood she moved house numerous times whilst in care, was unemployed and spent time in prison. The Prince's Trust Development Award scheme gave her the opportunity to improve her confidence and skills by completing beauty therapy training courses. Anna is now qualified in Beauty Therapy and plans to start a mobile business with help from The Trust's Business Programme. She has turned her life around and is looking forward to a brighter future.
Anna will now compete against others from all the Prince's Trust regional and county Awards winners for a place on the shortlist for the UK finals. Overall winners will be revealed at the prestigious Prince's Trust & RBS Celebrate Awards ceremony, which will take place in London in spring 2007.
Finalists have been selected from thousands of young people supported by The Trust in the East of England each year. Since the charity was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1976, it has helped over half a million young people across the UK.
The Awards were supported by local businesses, including Countryside Properties, which have played a key part in the event raising over £20,000, which will go directly to helping other disadvantaged young people from the East of England.
Justine Ruggles, Head of Commercial for the Prince's Trust, comments: "We rely on this type of financial support so heavily in an environment with so many worthwhile causes."
The Prince's Trust helps change young lives. It gives practical and financial support to those who are facing barriers in their lives: those who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.
For further information on the Prince's Trust visit www.princes-trust.org.uk or telephone 0800 842 842.
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Information correct as at 12/12/2006