A team of enterprising students from the University of Essex are aiming to raise thousands of pounds for the Prince’s Trust by setting up a special website offering unique Christmas presents.

Team Essex has created the ‘mini-enterprise’ as part of its contribution to the Prince’s Trust Million Makers campaign which encourages university students across the country to put their practical business skills in to action to raise funds for the charity’s vital work.

The student-designed website at www.teamessex.com/shop is offering the opportunity to buy a unique message read by X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent announcer Peter Dickson and personalised clothing plus the chance to enter a prize draw to win a luxury Waitrose hamper.

The fact the Prince’s Trust helps young people means Team Essex members are particularly keen to raise money for the charity and they also want to beat last year’s Million Makers performance when the University of Essex based team came second nationally for its fundraising efforts.

This term Team Essex also received support and encouragement from Apprentice star and Prince's Trust ambassador Helene Speight, pictured, who visited the Colchester Campus to speak to students as part of the Big e campaign

Lucy Clarke-Bilings, from Team Essex, said: “The Prince's Trust helps change young lives and we want to do everything we can to help it continue that work. We are hoping Essex residents alongside University staff and students will support our efforts to raise as much money as possible for the charity in the lead-up to Christmas.

"We are benefiting from the opportunity to study at university and we want to support the work of the Prince’s Trust to offer hope to 14 to 30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.”

Million Makers is a national campaign involving schools, companies and universities. The campaign aims to raise £1 million towards the £40 million The Prince’s Trust needs to raise every year to continue its work with some of the most disadvantaged young people across the UK.

To buy the perfect Christmas present and raise money for the Prince’s Trust visit: www.teamessex.com/shop/

For further details on The Prince’s Trust and Team Essex please see our website: www.teamessex.com