Birthday Celebrations for Trust which Supports Young Entrepreneurs.

4th March 2009

Over the last two decades, 600 businesses in The Highland Council area have received £2.5 million of support from the Princes Scotland Youth Business Trust (PSYBT). The Trust, which has also supported a further 10,000 businesses across Scotland to the tune of £32 million, was established in 1989 and preparations are currently underway to celebrate it's 20th Birthday through a range of special events across the whole country.

In the Highlands the work of the Trust in providing vital support to young entrepreneurs is hosted by Highland Opportunity and supported by over 100 volunteers. On Tuesday 10 March a birthday buffet tea will be held in Inverness Town House and organisers are extending an invitation to all past and present clients to come along to join in the celebrations.

Chairman of Highland Opportunity, Councillor Helen Carmichael said: "We wanted to mark the anniversary by hosting an event in the Highlands to bring together people that the Trust has helped over the last 20 years. Taking the first steps to set up a business can be very daunting for anyone, especially young people. This is why the work of the Trust in providing a whole range of advice, support and a mentoring programme for budding entrepreneurs is so important. Over the years the commitment of our volunteers to share their wealth of skills and talk about their own experiences to young people just starting out has been remarkable. I am looking forward to welcoming many of them, as well as people that the Trust has assisted to what will be a very enjoyable event."

David Knight, Regional Manager of the PSYBT said: "Any past clients are very welcome to come along to meet up with some old friends and find out about what the Trust is doing nowadays to help young people and what the future has in store."

The reception takes place in the Town House from 6.00pm to 7.30pm and anyone wishing to come along should contact Alithea Watson on 01463 228340.