The Hour

The Hour is back with a bang this Saturday for a special day out at the races, with two of STV’s favourite faces, Michelle McManus and John MacKay, in a special live one-off show.

The Hour Goes to the Races sees the dynamic duo team up for the show, which brings viewers all the colour and excitement from the Perth Racecourse Charities Race Day, held in support of The Prince’s Charities in Scotland.

You can find out more about the Prince’s charities that are benefiting from the event at Perth Racecourse, with detailed information about the work they do and how you can help, from www.princescharities.org/charities.

The Charity The Hour is featuring on The Hour Goes to the Races live from Perth Racecourse, is The Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT).

Here’s a little information about them and how you can get in touch.

The PSYBT is a charity that helps young people aged 18-25 start up and continue in business.  It has 18 offices throughout Scotland.

Its regional managers offer assistance to help young people access the support, advice, training and funding that the charity and its partner organisations provide.

The PSYBT can offer loans of up to £5000 and grants of up to £1000.

The charity also offers this support for those 18-30 that are disadvantaged or face particular challenges in their lives.

In 2010 they:
• Supported 612 businesses involving 647 individuals
• Awarded a total of £1,318,055 in loans and £124,127 in grants (average award was £2,357)
• Saw 765 full and part time jobs created

As a result:
• 81 per cent of their supported businesses were still trading after 1 year
• 57 per cent are still trading after 3 years
• 44 per cent were unemployed and claiming benefits when they approached the trust

Gender profile was 54 per cent male and 46 per cent female.

Further assistance is offered to help grow supported businesses through mentoring.

Mentors are volunteers from across the business community in Scotland offering ongoing practical help to access further support including accounting, book-keeping, sponsorship, funding, marketing, legal and trade advice.

The charity's primary aim is empowering young people. They visit schools, job centres and job fairs across Scotland.

You can find out more by calling 0141 248 4999, visiting www.psybt.org.uk or emailing team@psybt.org.uk.

READY TO RACE:

• Michelle McManus and John MacKay team up for The Hour Goes to the Races