A FORMER Warrington Wolves player turned entrepreneur has pledged to help young people get started in business through his new role as an inspirational speaker for The Prince’s Trust.

Twelve years ago, Jamie Boyd, from Great Sankey, experienced a career-ending knee injury at the age of 24 and had to hang up his rugby boots for good – having played for both Wolves and Crosfields.

And it was The Prince’s Trust which was on hand to offer him help.

A youth charity founded by The Prince of Wales in 1976 – with a mission to help people aged 11 to 30 get jobs, education and training – The Prince’s Trust loaned Jamie £3,000 to get his same day courier business, Today Team, off the ground.

Jamie’s business – based at Risley – now has a seven-figure annual turnover and a first-class reputation across the north west.

“It was Henry Ford who said: ‘Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right’,” said Jamie, who is a former student at St Gregory’s High School and Priestley College.

“I am a big believer in the power of inspiring words, so I was delighted to accept the trust’s kind invitation to speak to young people on the first day of each new business course.”

Jamie, who is also a non-executive director for Warrington Disability Partnership’s Disability Trading Company (DTC), delivers a talk which is a ‘warts and all’ account of the highs and lows of being self-employed, as well as an insight into what motivates him.

Melanie Hannam, programme executive (Enterprise and Awards), said: “Jamie provided a genuinely passionate presentation – sharing his best practices. Young people attending the course engaged really positively with his talk – enjoying a realistic and relatable story, with lots of questions to finish. We are looking forward to working with Jamie again in the near future; he is an absolute delight.”

Paul Lewis, a manager at The Prince’s Trust, added: “It’s brilliant to see young people empower their peers through their expertise, as often they are more knowledgeable than they give themselves credit for. We’re fortunate to have Jamie give his time to the Enterprise Programme; thank you Mr Boyd!”

Looking ahead to future rounds of the Programme, Jamie said: “If I can help young people get started in life, then I’m all for it. I was incredibly fortunate to have a helping hand from the Trust when all other doors had been closed to me; repaying that debt of gratitude in some small way is the least I can do.”

For more details on The Prince’s Trust’s Enterprise Programme for 18 to 30-year-olds, visit princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/support-starting-business.