A charity which has helped to improve the lives of thousands of young people across the district is celebrating its 30th birthday this week.

The Prince's Trust lets young people make a difference in their lives by helping them start community or sports projects, get training in beginning up their own business, or become involved in a range of other activities.

In its anniversary year, the charity has launched a new fundraising drive, backed by TV star Sharon Osbourne.

Young people who have been helped by the charity are backing the campaign to raise awareness of the charity's work.

Thirty-year-old Nikki Tait, of Queensbury, is one of those who turned to the trust for help in starting a business.

Although a trained teacher, Nikki found it difficult to get regular employment and so started to look for a more positive future. It was then that she came up with an idea for a business using her own experience as an alopecia sufferer.

She said: "Suffering from alopecia myself I understood how difficult it was to experience hair loss and how difficult something as seemingly simple as buying a wig could be.

"Following my own experiences I wanted to help people and this provided the inspiration for my business.

"I'd been formulating the business plan for about two years but I needed the funding to get my idea off the ground. I approached the Prince's Trust for a business loan, they said yes and it all happened really quickly."

The business, called The Nikki Collection, was started with a £3,200 loan from the trust and the assistance of a volunteer mentor.

Nikki visits customers at home or in hospital so that they can try on hairpieces or wigs rather than having to go to a shop. Although the business only opened in October last year she has already secured contracts with Bupa, Cancer BACUP and Cancer Research.

In 2004, Katrina Hartley, 25, was going through a difficult time - her marriage was breaking down and she was unemployed. So she turned to the Prince's Trust to for help.

"I went to the Prince's Trust because I had a difficult year. I hadn't been well and I was separated from my husband. I just wanted to get back on track," she said.

To develop new skills, Katrina joined trust's team programme delivered by Bradford YMCA. Thanks to the 12-week personal development programme she was able to build up her confidence and self esteem.

"The team programme helped me to become a more confident person and to develop my CV and interview skills - all things that employers look for," said Mrs Hartley.

Inspired by a two-week work placement at Buttershaw High School, Katrina applied for a job working with young people and now she is working as an education and skills support worker with Bradford YMCA at Trinity Road.

"The Prince's Trust gave me a chance and I couldn't have got this job if I hadn't done the course," she said.

TV star and X-factor judge Sharon Osbourne is heading the fundraising drive for the charity.

She said: "Every day young people across Bradford are leaving care, or dropping out of school and just giving up on themselves.

"They don't think that anyone cares if they don't find work. Or cares if they get into trouble. It's bleak. But it's how they feel.

"Many of these young people often receive a bad press. But youth charity the Prince's Trust recognises that they have a lot to give.

"That's why I am such a big fan of their work."

Trust regional director Peter Branson said: "The trust's 30th anniversary is the perfect time to celebrate young people's success and we hope to help a further 4,000 young people in the region during 2006."

For further information about the charity go to www.princes-trust.org.uk or call 0800 842 842.