Shaw thing for big time Bannatyne

2:50pm Thursday 29th November 2007

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SUPER-entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne OBE is living proof anyone with the guts, determination and drive can turn their lives around and be successful, but admits a bit of help can work wonders.

There are organisations helping people into work, including the national employment charity Shaw Trust.

Shaw Trust provides training and work opportunities to people disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, illness or social circumstances.

Impressed with how Shaw Trust helps to transform people's lives, Duncan is keen to do more to get involved.

Duncan presented awards to inspirational winners at Shaw Trust's national STAR Awards which highlight the astonishing achievements of clients and supporters of charity on November 27th.

He said: "Absolutely everyone has got it within themselves to succeed, but some people need more support than others and that should be available, even if it is just helping people believe in themselves.

"I am very impressed with the work of the Trust which has found work for 60,000 in the last few weeks."

The former Navy stoker added: "I'm really inspired by Shaw Trust's clients, by people who get stuck in and achieve something in the face of adversity or who overcome barriers in their lives to succeed."

The kind of help and support the trust offers disadvantaged or disabled people simply wasn't available for Duncan, who after a naval career, drifted from job to job before making the decision to turn his own life around.

His first entrepreneurial venture, selling ice creams, soon expanded from a single van to a small fleet and from then on his business empire has expanded and now includes a chain of health clubs.

But Duncan has never forgotten how it feels to be the underdog and now likes to offer employment opportunities to as diverse a range of people as possible.

He said: "As an employer I want to take on people from all walks of life - people of all races, religions and of course people with disabilities.

"Having the help of an organisation like Shaw Trust to support me in recruiting and supporting disabled or disadvantaged people will make it easier.

"They have the kind of talents and abilities which I want to embrace in my businesses."