A FORMER drug dealer who turned his life around with the help of The Princes Trust has been named the charity’s regional ambassador of the year.

Shaun McPherson beat off competition from three people to be named the Mappin & Webb Young Ambassador of the Year Award at The Prince’s Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success Awards last month.

Diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and severe behaviour problems, the High Wycombe man had been in and out of several schools and excluded three times by the time he was 15. Desperate to escape his unhappiness, Mr McPherson turned to drugs and ended up dealing to pay for his addiction.

Despite finding the determination to put himself through college after his grandfather taught him how to weld, he struggled to find and keep work.

He then heard about The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme, which helps unemployed young people to start up in the business world.

Mr McPherson said: "The Prince’s Trust business launch group for the Enterprise programme was one of my proudest days - people showed belief in me and what I was doing. Starting the programme and meeting people from The Trust was a turning point in my life."

With The Trust’s support, Shaun gained the skills, knowledge and confidence to set up his own business making bespoke pond covers.

Mr McPherson decided to become an ambassador for the charity after becoming fed up of people telling him he would not amount to nothing - he wanted to show youngsters that they can transform their lives.

The 30-year-old has also raised thousands of pounds for the trust.

Mr McPherson said: "My opinion of myself has completely changed - I’m a completely different person now.

"I’m fitter, happier and healthier and I’ve transformed into someone I could never even have dreamed of being. My business if going from strength to strength and I can’t wait for my next challenge.