Labour MP for Wentworth
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21st November 2007
For immediate release

MP presents award to inspirational young entrepreneur

 
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 John Healey MP presents the John Cracknell Award for Youth Enterprise 2007 to Brian Nelson. Photos by Eddie Rolmanis, courtesy of Hull City Council.

Local MP and Minister for Local Government John Healey presented young Rotherham entrepreneur Brian Nelson with the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Award at the KC Stadium in Hull last week (pictured).

As a child Brian was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and spent long periods of time in hospital and lengthy spells away from the classroom.

After leaving school at 17 with no qualifications Brian considered himself to be unemployable, however he enrolled on a basic skills course at a local college where he subsequently was awarded Student of the Year as well as becoming involved in the Young Enterprise Team. After contacting Rotherham Youth Enterprise, Brian went on to develop his own personal action plan and enrol on a course to develop his skills in Flower Arranging - completing Level I and II qualifications in Floristry.

He then returned to Rotherham Youth Enterprise and with assistance from the Prince’s Trust and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce opened his own business ‘Brian’s Flowers’. Unfortunately, as Brian’s business was developing he was involved in a car accident, which left him immobilised for a long period of time. Brian had full bi lateral hip replacements and is due to have further surgery to his knees and feet, and has since had to close his business.

Undeterred by these latest events, Brian considered how he might use his personal and business experience to assist others. He returned to part-time education to study Counselling Skills at levels I, II & III, and is currently undertaking his City & Guilds 7303 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Community - to help pass on his skills in floristry to others.

John Healey MP said:

“Brian is a remarkable young man and an inspiration to all who meet him. He seems to have an unshakeable determination not to let his personal barriers get in the way of his own learning or commitment to helping others.”

Mr Charles Cracknell, Employment and Youth Enterprise Officer for Hull County Council said:

“We were introduced to Brian after visiting Rotherham Youth Enterprise several years ago and, when we heard his story, he quickly became the inspiration behind the development of a Youth Enterprise Service in Hull.

“Since then, Hull have continued to run a range of enterprise activities in the city and are now looking to develop this area of work and to model it on the successful Rotherham Youth Enterprise and Rotherham Ready projects, managed by Rotherham Council.”

Rotherham entrepreneur and award winner Brian Nelson said:

"I was quite overwhelmed and honoured to receive this award, especially as I know it's history. I would like to thank my former customers for all their support when I was running my business and for their continued good wishes."

If you are a young person living in Rotherham and want to find out more about how to put your idea for a business into practice visit www.rotherhamready.org.uk or phone the Rotherham Ready team on Tel: 01709 515410.

-          ENDS –

Notes for Editors:

1.      Brian has won a number of other awards over recent years, including:

2.      Last week was National Enterprise Week for more information visit http://www.enterpriseweek.org/

For more information please contact:

Joanne Wilson, Research Officer to John Healey MP Tel: 01709 512463 or email: wilsonjo@parliament.uk

Jackie Frost, Enterprise Projects Manager, Rotherham Council, Children and Young People's Services Tel: 01709 515410 or email: jackie.frost@rotherham.gov.uk