A YOUNG Irvine woman living with cerebral palsy has received a prestigious award from the Prince’s Trust.

Danielle Farrel was one of three young entrepreneurs recognised at the Trust’s Ayrshire Enterprise of the Year awards, for her efforts in setting up her own business, known as Your Options Understood – or YOU for short – which provides advice on care services for people with disabilities as well as parents and carers.

Danielle attended St Bridget’s Primary School in Kilbirnie and the Peto Institute in Budapest before attending Ashcraig Secondary School in Glasgow and currently resides at Red Cross House in Irvine.

She later completed a media degree at James Watt College and a Ph.D. at the University of the West of Scotland before starting YOU.

She had to contend with other challenges along the way, losing her mother at the age of 16 and having to move out of the family home due to flooding.

Danielle received her award at a ceremony in South Ayrshire Council’s Civic Chambers in Ayr last Monday.

North Ayrshire Provost Ian Clarkson, who presented Danielle with her award, applauded her drive to succeed.

He said: “Danielle represents everything a young entrepreneur needs to turn their ideas into a successful business – a willingness to learn, the ability to adapt and the ambition to succeed in adversity.

“She is a role model to others embarking on similar pursuits and shows what can be done with real drive and determination.

“Danielle’s lifelong disability has not disabled her lifelong ambition to achieve her Ph.D. and become her own boss.

“I am absolutely delighted that she has been awarded this most prestigious award and I cannot think of anyone more deserving than Danielle for what she has achieved.”

North, East and South Ayrshire Councils were joint sponsors of the top awards which were given to Danielle, Angus Corbett of South Ayrshire and Chris McCluskie of East Ayrshire.

The Prince’s Trust supports 13 to 30-year-olds who are unemployed, and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion.

Many of the young people they help are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or have been in trouble with the law.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Stewart Thomson, Enterprise manager for the Prince’s Trust, said: “Every one of these young entrepreneurs have
exemplified determination, the will to succeed and the ability to turn a good idea into a viable business.

“They are great role models for other young people and deserving winners of these awards.”