Letter to the Editor from Martha Lane-Fox

Letter to the Editor from Martha Lane-Fox - search for the next Internet Champion

Dear Sir,

I am writing to remind readers that there are two weeks left to enter the Age UK Internet Champion of the Year search (deadline Tuesday 30th November). I am encouraging all computer connoisseurs aged 55+ to put themselves forward to be the 2011 Champion to be a leading light for other people in later life who may lack the confidence or skill to get online.

The number of people over 65 using the Internet has increased from 18% in 2006 to 40% in 2010 (1), but there are still 6 million people aged 65+ who have never accessed the Internet (2) and are therefore missing out on the vast financial and social benefits it can offer.

The 2011 Age UK Internet Champion will be a ‘Champion' for a year, helping Age UK to advocate the use of the Internet to peers. This year's theme is ‘how the Internet changed my life' and nominees are being asked to share the life-changing benefits they have gained from being online.

The Champion, along with three runners up, will also attend an exclusive ceremony at the BT Tower in London and will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to London and a laptop and broadband package courtesy of BT. The winner will also be invited to join the Race Online 2012 People's taskforce to represent the views and needs of older people and continue the good work started by 2010 winners Lucy Berry and Fredrick Briggs.

To enter the competition log on to www.ageuk.org.uk/internet-champions or call 0800 169 6565 to request a hard copy of the application form.

Yours Faithfully,

Martha Lane-Fox
UK Digital Champion and Age UK Internet Champion judge

Notes to Editors

1. Internet Access Households and Individuals reports, Office for National Statistics, August 2006 and August 2010. This statistic shows the number of people who have ever used the internet rather than the ones who are using it at the moment.
2. Internet Access Households and Individuals 2010 report, Office for National Statistics and mid-2009 population estimates for the UK, Office for National Statistics, June 2010. This statistic shows the number of people who have never used the internet rather than the ones who are using it at the moment. This refers to 60 per cent of the 10 million people aged over 65 who have never used the internet.

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