Richard, 21, from Beeston, grew up in a two-bed house with his parents, four brothers and one sister. The family struggled to ensure they had enough money to make sure they had everything they needed, and as he grew up, Richard’s childhood ambitions began to fade.

As a child, I dreamed of becoming an electrician. But as I reached my teens, that idea began to fade and feel like I'd get nowhere because of my family’s lack of money.

I recall: “Money began to be a constant barrier. I couldn’t go on school trips because they were too expensive so I’d have to pretend to my friends that I hadn’t wanted to go in the first place. I used to lie about getting amazing Christmas and birthday presents so I could fit in with everyone else at school. The lack of money made me believe that I’d never get anywhere in life so I just learnt to accept that I’d either end up in a dead-end job or without one at all.”

Life at home sometimes got hard. My father worked long hours so he could afford to feed the family. The house was crowded and I shared a bedroom with two of my brothers which made doing homework difficult.

As a teenager I stopped dreaming about becoming an electrician and my Dad began to drill into me that any job would do, and if I didn’t like it, then tough. A little bit of money is better than no money at all. I began to accept that people like me didn’t get too far in life.

After leaving school at 16 I began working for a local mechanic and eventually got a job working in a shop before being made redundant at the height of the recession. I began to think of ways I could make my own money and it was around this time that I heard about The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme. After receiving a £2,000 loan, I set up X Nitro RC, a business selling remote control cars, boats and helicopters. As this began to grow I branched into offering service and repairs.

"The Prince’s Trust has turned my life around. I never thought I’d end up having my own business or do the things I’m able to do. I’m so grateful for the opportunities they’ve given me."

I was so grateful for getting the help to realise anything is possible I became a Young Ambassador in September 2010 - desperate to help other young people at the crossroads of their lives. I have spoken at local events to help inspire young people, interviewed prospective Trust staff, and even co-hosted the 2010 Prince's Trust Celebrate Success event. In May 2010 I attended a London debate with Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg to raise further awareness of The Trust. I have been on TV twice (which I never thought would happen) once for the Gadget Show on Channel 5, and the second was the above interview for ITV Central News.

Its so easy to sit back and think what if, when you do instead of think its amazing what life can bring. We all have the same amount of time in the day its how we use it that makes a difference. Maybe some day I'll be a self made millionaire now wouldn't that be something!

Regards,

Richard

www.xnitrorc.co.uk

0115 875 8460

Thank you for taking the time to read my story you can have fun with your RC model now :-)