AS The Prince's Trust celebrates the 25th anniversary of its Business Programme, I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to our volunteer business mentors, staff, supporters and donors who have made it possible for thousands of disadvantaged young people to launch enterprises and boost the North-East's economy.

In the past five years alone, the programme has helped 2,166 young people from across the region to set up in business through low-interest loans, grants and mentoring for up to three years with access to a recently-launched Business Club.

We plan to support a further 360 before the year ends.

Some 58 per cent of them are still trading into their third year, which compares favourably with the national average. This is despite the fact that the young people we help have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

We are grateful for continued funding support from the regional development agency, OneNorthEast, but look to other organisations to follow its example and invest in the valuable work of the trust and the young lives we seek to transform.

David Beavis, North-East Regional Director, The Prince's Trust, Gateshead.