Ross Watts

Ross Watts (22) is nominated to carry the Olympic Torch for Samsung during the Exeter leg of the torch relay because he has demonstrated sheer determination to succeed in the face of adversity and overcome a severe learning disability. Ross has become an Ambassador for the Prince's Trust and was awarded the Prince's Trust Young Achiever of the Year 2010 for the effort he has made to change his life and to encourage others.

From birth Ross had a learning disability and was clumsy. With the help of the primary school staff he survived. Secondary school brought lots of traumas - the biggest being bullied by peers.

Primary and secondary school passed with Ross struggling, although his passion for football and wish to volunteer at his local Club Exeter City gave him an opportunity to link football with learning and he left school with 4 low grade GCSEs although PE was his forte.

Long spells of unemployment, a redundancy (the company went bankrupt and took all his money) were awful. A meeting with an advisor at Action for Employment gave Ross the chance to meet the Prince's Trust to apply for a grant, he has never looked back. Now a proud security guard, he is well-known amongst his peers as being a real achiever.

We are all very proud of Ross, full of life, he truly deserves this opportunity as many youngsters would look up to him and know that they could do it too! He is our hero and a shining example to his community of exactly what you can achieve when you believe!