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Internet award for John
Tuesday September 30th 2008. Posted: 12:11
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BT head of digital inclusion Mike Hughes, John and his laptop and MP Angus McNeil
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John Soutar, 15, from Lionel, Isle of Lewis, is the national winner of the 2008 BT Internet Ranger of the Year Awards.
The awards recognise and reward young people who help older generations get online. Now in their fourth year, the awards celebrate stories of outstanding young people who share their internet skills with others. The scheme is part of the BT Internet Ranger campaign, set up after research revealed that nearly a third of parents and grandparents - 32 per cent - have been taught or encouraged to try the internet by a young person aged between 13 and 16 years. John was presented with his prize of a laptop plus £250 in IT vouchers from Angus McNeil, MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, at a special event at the BT Tower in London. John, who attends the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway, was recognised for helping his mother Elspeth start a new life on the Hebridean island when she became a single parent. John designed and built a website for the family business - two self-catering cottages for holidaymakers from which the entire family income had to be earned. John taught Elspeth how to manage the website as well as how to research, advertise and take bookings using the internet. John's skills and talent for web design were quickly picked up by the local community, where he has offered his expertise to help teach adults and children about the internet at an innovative local IT project. John said: "I have always been fascinated with computers and the internet and have taught myself how to design websites over the last few years. There's so much more for me to learn but it's fantastic to see how sharing the knowledge I have gathered has had a positive impact on my family and local community." Angus said: "Communities across the nation can benefit from the help of young people like John, who has given up much of his personal time to teach others how to get the most out of the internet. He is an excellent role model for his generation.” The 2008 BT Internet Ranger Awards have also rewarded five runners-up with laptops in recognition of their work. They are: Sam Rodgers, 15, from Nottingham; Samantha Izod, 12, from Essex: Myles Saville, six, from York; Emma Power, 13, from Kent and Libby Rees, 12, from Dorset.
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Last updated:
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