OUTGOING Prince’s Trust local chief Ron Dunham has been given a royal send-off by his boss.

Trust founder the Prince of Wales spoke to Mr Dunham, Kent and Medway general manager, at an award ceremony held at The Barbican in London.

Mr Dunham, recently retired, was nominated for a top award after more than 13 years of achievement in the county.

He has helped numerous young people set up successful businesses, and played a key role in the Trust’s campaign to boost the self-esteem of disadvantaged youngsters by involving them in challenging projects.

Many have succeeded against the odds, improved their life chances and had a positive impact on the community.

Mr Dunham was a runner-up for a special staff award in The Prince’s Trust and RBS Celebrate Success Awards.

The award recognises innovation and inspiration of Prince’s Trust employees.

Mr Dunham is a keen golfer and has organised the Trust’s annual fund-raising tournament for the past few years.

He has expanded the reach of Trust programmes, setting up a large and professional network of volunteers and organising annual fund-raising events. He and his team raised the number of young people supported each year in the county to 750.

The Trust said: "Ron is popular with staff and volunteers and is never afraid to roll up his sleeves and get stuck in, whatever the task.

"Ron is a great example to those around him and is always putting the needs of young people at the heart of everything he does."

Mr Dunham said: "The 13 years I have been with the Prince’s Trust represents nearly a third of my working life, and the most enjoyable.

"The journey has been challenging, exciting and rewarding with the hundreds of young people supported being the greatest legacy. The Trust has grown beyond all recognition during those years in Kent and Medway."

He paid tribute to his team and the army of volunteers and supporters who had helped disadvantaged young people. They could have helped even more with more financial resources.

"Kent has large numbers of disadvantaged young people who really need support in order to help them make a positive contribution to our local economy.

"I feel I am leaving the helm with only the tip of the iceberg dealt with and an ever growing number of young people needing our support."

Prince Charles set up the Trust in 1976. Since then, it has helped more than 550,000 young people and continues to support 100 more young people every day.