Prince Charles has been helping young people for more than half his life through his Prince's Trust charity – and about 3,000 at a time are from Bristol and the South West.

Since 1976 more than 575,000 young people have benefited and the trust supports 100 more each working day.

On Wednesday night five people from Bristol involved with the Prince's Trust are up for awards at the charity's Celebrate Success evening being held at the Bristol Marriott Hotel.

The awards fall during the charity's first Youth Week, which aims to change negative perceptions about young people by highlighting their positive contributions to society.

The finalists were selected from more than 3,000 young people supported by the Prince's Trust in the South West.

The dedicated support provided by Prince's Trust volunteers, partner organisations and staff will also be recognised.

The charity gives 14- to 30-year-olds practical and financial support and helps motivate them and give them confidence.

It works with those who struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

Lorna Knapman, 32, from Brislington, is down to the final three for the University of the West of England Enterprise Award.

Lorna had problems at home and suffered with glandular fever at a crucial stage of her education which meant she missed a lot of school.

She was always a straight A student, but got poor GCSEs and became unemployed.

Having her baby son was the catalyst which motivated Lorna to set up a business based on her interest in healthy food.

With the help of a mentor, Erica Thomas, and a loan from The Prince's Trust, she set up Bite Size, which provides healthy food for children at events and parties.

"My son was about one when the Prince's Trust gave me a grant and a loan and helped me to set up my business," said Lorna.

"My mentor Erica has been fantastic, even more important to me than the money."

It has not been easy for Lorna as a single parent, but through determination and hard work she turned her idea into a thriving business.

Bite Size grew into a festival called LoveFood and aims to support local farmers and educate people about sustaining the environment.

The fifth LoveFood festival will be held at Paintworks off Bath Road in Totterdown on November 30.

Former archaeologist Edd Richardson, 30, has been a Prince's Trust leader at the City of Bristol College for the past four years.

He is nominated for the Britannia Royal Naval College and HMS Raleigh Leadership Award for his work with disadvantaged young people.

His dedication has produced many success stories – shown in their retention rate of 88 per cent, which is the highest in the South West.

Edd, who lives on a boat in the docks, said: "I love working for the Prince's Trust and never expected to get nominated for an award for it.

"It came as a total shock and I still can't believe it. I feel lucky to work with such amazing young people."

Edd began his working life as an archaeologist working in Thailand "looking for burial sites in caves" until he decided it was not for him.

"Being Indiana Jones doesn't pay very well and the risks are high – I had too many close encounters with snakes," he said.

He did an MA in documentary film making at Bristol University and had to get a job to pay off his student loan.

He saw an advertisement for a team leader with the Prince's Trust and has not looked back.

"I really enjoy every single time I've run a team," he said.

"For 12 weeks you get to work with some amazing people you would never usually get to meet."

During the 12-week Prince's Trust courses young people from different backgrounds work together on different projects.

They spend a week on outdoor adventure activities, living and cooking together, and work on a community project for a fortnight.

The leaders help them with interview techniques and work placements, and the team runs a community project in the last weeks.

Kingsley Langdon, 19, is up for the South West Fire & Rescue Services Young Achiever of the Year Award.

Kingsley had problems with anger and violence and ended up in Ashfield Young Offenders Institution.

But he joined the Prince's Trust xl club, an alternative school curriculum which enables 15- to 16-year-olds gain national qualifications.

He is the first ever person in custody to achieve the xl Gold Award.

Kingsley, who now has a full-time job, said: "Joining the Prince's Trust has affected my confidence in a big way and it has also helped me understand how to deal with my emotions, making me a better people person."

Up against Kingsley for the award is Mina Bwanali, 19, who came to the UK as a refugee from Somalia.

She barely spoke English and had no qualifications when she arrived.

She was accepted on to The Prince's Trust's 12-week personal development course but was nervous about being away from her family.

But she overcame her fears and hopes to become a nurse after studying at Bristol College.

"Now I feel safe and comfortable in the UK and I'm not scared for my family's safety. I'm excited about everything I've achieved and feel ready to go out into the world on my own," said Mina.

Kay Bunyan is down to the last three for the ITV West Staff Award.

She enrolled on the Team programme in 1998 and is now employed full time as a programme manager for Team and xl.

"It's amazing to be nominated for something like this and totally unexpected," she said.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service are up for the Learning and Skills Council Partnership Innovation Award for their work to support the Team programme.

They are up against HMP & Young Offenders Institute, Ashfield, for its two Prince's Trust xl clubs.