October 2011
Pride of Britain 2011
Since it started in 1999, Pride of
Britain has become the biggest event of its kind in the UK.
The Prince’s Trust Young Achiever Award shines the spotlight on one
exceptional young person who has turned their life around with help
and support from The Trust.
Prince's Trust Young Achiever 2011
Gina Moffatt, 34
When Gina was sent to Holloway for drug offences at the age of
25, she thought her world had fallen apart. However, things started
to change for Gina when, while still in prison, she signed up for
an NVQ in floristry. She had always been interested in flowers and
knew that getting a qualification would help her make a better life
for herself and her daughters.
After the course, Gina spotted a business opportunity and
persuaded the prison governor to let her provide floral
arrangements for prisoners, visitors and staff. News of its success
spread and by the time of her release in 2008, Gina felt confident
enough to set up on her own.
However, the reality of setting up a business in the outside
world was harder than Gina first expected and she turned to The
Prince’s Trust for help. The Trust helped Gina to write a business
plan, obtain a start-up loan and find subsidised premises in which
to work from.
Gina launched Blooming Scent at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in
Tottenham, providing flowers and floral decorations for people and
events. Gina then decided to expand into catering and snap up a
small cafe that had become available at the Centre, following
advice from Dragon’s Den star and Prince’s Trust ambassador James
Caan who met with Gina as part of a Prince’s Trust event.
Now that she has successfully turned her life around, Gina
is determined to help other young people. She has taken on staff in
her cafe and likes to help those in need of a second chance – as
she once was.
About the event
It is the night when more than 100 of the country's biggest
stars unite to honour the most remarkable people of the year - our
nation's unsung heroes. The Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards,
sponsored by Littlewoods.com, is one of the highest-rated awards
shows on British TV. Among A-listers who have taken part are Sir
Paul McCartney, President Clinton, Kylie Minogue, Dame Helen Mirren
and Ewan McGregor.
The winners are selected by a judging committee, which in
2011 included the Olympian double gold medalist Rebecca Adlington,
Victoria Cross winner Johnson Beharry, ITN newsman Mark Austin,
Daybreak's Christine Bleakley, Tess Daley and Chief Nurse Dame
Christine Beasley.
Hosted by Carol Vorderman, the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain
Awards is packed
with breathtaking stories of heroism and courage, uplifting and
moving moments and hilarious celebrity surprises. This year, Cheryl
Cole, David Beckham, Gary Barlow, Ant and Dec and Gemma Arterton
were among more than 100 stars who unite to celebrate Britain's
unsung heroes.
It's always such a great pleasure hosting Pride
of Britain. For me, it is the only awards show on TV that really
matters because the winners are real people who could not be more
deserving
- Carol Vorderman
About The Trust
This year, in total, we’ll support 50,000 disadvantaged young
people, helping them to develop their confidence and skill and get
into jobs, education or training. You
can read more about our programmes for young people here
How you can help
To continue to deliver our vital programmes, we rely on the
support of many businesses, organisations and individuals. If you’d
like to support The Prince’s Trust, there are lots of ways you
could get involved:
If you’d like to speak to us about other ways to get involved, then
please call 0845 177 0099 or email getinvolved@princes-trust.org.uk
Last year's Award
The 2010 Young Achiever Award was won by Nathan James. Read more
about Nathan's inspirational story.