Sponsors Required for Young Peoples' Awards Evening with Dragons' Den Star Guest

Swindon-based charity, Inner Flame, are once again gearing up for their annual Young Champions event which for 2019 sees a very special guest in attendance. The charity based in Rodbourne assist unemployed, vulnerable young people aged 16 to 25 in developing the skills required to live healthy, independent lives and move closer towards work; most notably through their delivery of the Prince's Trust Team Programme in the town.

Each year the charity brings together local businesses and organisations to celebrate a selection of young people that Inner Flame have have worked with that have persevered to overcome their adversities and in turn have achieved great feats. The event, Young Champions, will take place on April 26th 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Swindon, hosting a full evening of live entertainment, a three course meal, charity auction, raffle and a very special guest speaker – Dragons' Den star, Piers Linney.

Having starred on the BAFTA nominated series as well as Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire, Piers is a self-made millionaire that came from humble beginnings in Stoke-onTrent. Personally admitting that he’s experienced both success and failure, he has become a recognised champion of entrepreneurship, technology and small and medium-sized enterprises. However, Piers has never forgotten his roots; having volunteered time in prisons working with young offenders and supporting a young person with Asperger’s to go on to achieve 10 GCSE A Grades.

This year sees a huge opportunity in the position of title sponsor becoming available, following Dialog Semiconductor's sponsorship of the previous two years. This slot is available at £2000, with the additional opportunity to sponsor the four individual awards at £250 each – funds that are vitally important in covering the event's costs and ensuring successful fundraising. Additionally only a few tables to attend the event remain available.

Inner Flame CEO, Gail McKay said “it’s incredibly important that we take time to recognise the achievements of the young people in our community. The vast majority of individuals that we work with have had to overcome very unique challenges, so we believe it’s imperative that we have a designated occasion to celebrate their successes.”

“The past 12 to 18 months have been particularly tough for us as a small charity” McKay adds, “so events like this not only recognise incredible achievements but are also vital for us in continuing to deliver our service in the town. We rely on the support of businesses to continue operating and taking a table at or sponsoring Young Champions is a brilliant way to do so, whilst showing your recognition of Swindon's young achievers.”

To further add to the excitement, British skiing icon and Inner Flame patron, Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards, will be back in attendance on April 26th. Having been the guest speaker at Young Champions 2018, Eddie made a commitment following the event to further support the charity. “To have the opportunity to hear such inspirational stories from young people having overcome their own challenges to succeed is brilliant, and I think it’s a great thing to bring local businesses together to recognise these individuals” says Edwards.

All information about the event can be seen here: www.innerflame.org.uk/young-champions2019.

To sponsor the event or book a table, please e-mail [email protected]