Owner of Morgan’s Butchery, near Haverhill, receives £20,000 after coming third in Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs
A butcher who recovered from a stroke to take over his first shop has won £20,000 in a national competition for disabled entrepreneurs.
Miles Nicholas, who last April became the owner of Morgan’s Butchery, in Baythorne End near Haverhill, received his cheque for £20k last Friday in London after coming third in the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2023.
The 56-year-old has been a butcher since he was 15, but in 2019 he suffered a stroke while working at the Gog Farm Shop, in Shelford Bottom.
He had to have six months off work, and having lost most of his speech, a therapist taught him to speak again.
Miles said: “Four years ago I had a stroke. I lay in a hospital bed and couldn’t remember my mum’s name.
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“Fours later, I have a business and an award, and I could not be prouder. I cannot believe it. The prize money is going to be a huge help.”
Ruth Owen, chief executive of Leonard Cheshire, which runs the competition in partnership with the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, said: “At Leonard Cheshire, we believe that disabled people should not have to struggle to be heard or seen.
“The Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs provide an invaluable opportunity for hundreds of disabled entrepreneurs who share the vision and determination to establish successful businesses.
“This year’s applications showcased an extraordinary level of business talent in the UK and unwavering determination to succeed among disabled individuals.”
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou added: “I never cease to be amazed by the ambition and resourcefulness of our winners.
“Their range of business activities is truly impressive – by putting together a butcher, a marketing genius and a wheelchair engineer into our closeknit family of award winners just goes to show the depth of talent in the UK’s disability community.
“Not content with relying on social benefits and being shut out of traditional nine-to-five employment, they’ve struck out on their own.
“I wish them every success and look forward to showcasing their businesses as the very best of what can be achieved.”
