The Shetland based charity COPE Ltd (Community Opportunities for Participation in Enterprise) which provides training, support and employment for adults with disabilities has been short-listed for a Highlands & Islands Business award.

Also up for an award in the Tourism category is Seabirds and Seals (www.seabirds-and-seals.com), formerly Bressaboats, which started in 1992.  Owner Dr Jonathan Wills offers visitors a close, personal and memorable wildlife experience of the environment around Shetland. 

The winners will be announced at a presentation luncheon in the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on 17 June 2004. 

COPE Ltd was established as a charity in 1998 and currently provides training and employment opportunities to 32 adults with learning and physical disabilities across Shetland. Over the last few years the enterprise has grown and continues to adapt to meet the demand for places.

Commenting on the nomination and what COPE do, manager, Frank Millsopp said: "We are really please to have been short-listed in the smaller business category and are looking forward to the awards ceremony next week.

"At COPE we offer genuine therapeutic employment to suit the skills of our members.  Our success challenges stereotypical attitudes to people with disabilities."

Shetland Enterprise has assisted COPE and Seabirds and Seals in the past, development manager, David Watson, said: "We wish them all the best for the awards ceremony next week and are delighted their excellent work has been recognised.

"COPE not only provide training, support and employment opportunities to people with learning or physical disabilities, they create new opportunities for skills development, increase confidence and help change perceptions about how adults with disabilities can contribute to the local economy.

"Dr Jonathan Wills from Seabirds and Seals, has thirty years experience of sailing the waters around Shetland and watching wildlife so can provide visitors to Shetland with a wealth of experience and knowledge."

Jonathan also has a keen awareness of the need to minimise impact on the environment so visitor numbers are kept low, allowing guests to enjoy and savour the experience, with underwater cameras providing guests with a fascinating insight into the watery depths below.

The guest speaker at the Highlands and Islands Business Awards luncheon will be Donald Macdonald, executive chairman of Macdonald Hotels plc and chairman of the Aviemore Highland Resort.