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£50,000 competition launched to find Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur for 2008
From June 10 disabled entrepreneurs across the UK can enter to win £50,000 first prize when the search starts to find Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2008.
This major award, run by Leonard Cheshire Disability and sponsored by easyGroup Chairman Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou,
was presented for the first time in 2007 to Leeds man, Amar Latif from Traveleyes, a company specialising in tailor made breaks for non-disabled and visually impaired travellers.
The 2008 winner will receive a cheque at the British Chamber of Commerce Awards at London's Natural History Museum on November 27.
Sir Stelios said: "I am very passionate about encouraging an enterprising spirit and decided to work with Leonard Cheshire Disability to set up the award in 2007.
"We received a terrific response last year from disabled entrepreneurs all over the UK and as one of the judges I was amazed by the high standard of entries.
"Arriving at a shortlist proved a difficult task just because there are so many talented entrepreneurs out there.
"With 50 per cent of disabled adults out of work, removing barriers disabled people face in business is essential. Self employment is the only viable option for many disabled people as it offers flexibility and helps bypass much of the prejudice that sadly still exists.
Amar Latif said: "It was hard to find words to describe my emotions when the announcer said I had won last year
"£50,000 has meant I've been able to invest in my business and over 12 months put in a lot of hard work to watch it grow.
"Disabled people experience disadvantage and discrimination in business and enterprise everyday, largely through ignorance and this needs to change.
To find out how to enter visit www.disabledentrepreneur.org and the closing date for entries is September 5.
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