Nationwide Hunt for UK's Most Inspirational Silver Surfers

The Silver Surfer Awards 2007 are now open for entries, rewarding inspirational
internet users over the age of 50 across the UK.  The awards, now in their sixth
year, highlight examples of older learners' contributions to cyberspace to inspire
anyone thinking about starting to use the internet or email for the first time.
The annual awards which are organised by Digital Unite (DU) and supported by
BT, highlight remarkable Silver Surfers who prove you are never too old to learn
a new skill. The Awards are part of the 2007 Silver Surfers' Day campaign, which
DU is delivering in partnership with Ofcom.

Emma Solomon, managing Director of Digital Unite, said: 'Internet skills are a
vital part of everyday life, and these awards celebrate those who are an
inspiration to others to get online.  Last year’s winner, 77 year old Jim Tuckwell
from Andover in Hants, used his internet skills to work with local children on an
anti-bullying campaign; an exemplary example of a Silver Surfer who uses the
internet for the benefit of others.

'We want to hear stories that will motivate others to have a go at getting online. 
Whether it is about keeping in touch with family or friends abroad, sharing
knowledge to help others get online, or using the internet to campaign for change
in the local community, we want to hear your story.'

The Silver Surfer of the Year, and Silver Surfer Entrepreneur of the Year will each
win a top of the range laptop, and the Silver Surfer Event holder of the year will
win £500 IT vouchers.  There will also be two Silver Surfer of the Year runners-up
who will each win £250 IT vouchers. The criteria and nomination forms for the
awards are available via  www.silversurfersday.org/awards.php. 

Research shows that it is often young people who help or encourage Silver
Surfers, so to recognise the work of these young people, DU is supporting the
2007 BT Internet Rangers awards, a nationwide hunt to find and reward young
internet teachers. 

Entry to these awards is via the BT Internet Rangers website
www.btinternetrangers.co.uk, and can take the form of a short written
submission, a podcast, or a photo movie which tells the story of the Internet
Ranger and what they are doing to help others get online. There will be 10
runners up, who will each receive a top of the range laptop, and the overall
winner will receive a laptop, and £250 of IT vouchers. 

Entrants to the Silver Surfer Awards and the BT Internet Ranger Awards can
nominate themselves or be nominated by friends and family.  The deadline for
entries to the Silver Surfer Awards is 18 July 2007, and the deadline for the BT
Internet Ranger of the Year awards is September 1, 2007.  A special joint award
ceremony for winners will be held in October 2007 at the House of Commons
hosted by Stephen Timms MP. 

CONTACTS:
- For Silver Surfers' Day/Digital Unite:
Gill Adams 
E: gill.adams@digitalunite.net / T: 0870 241 5091 / W: www.silversurfersday.org

-For BT Internet Rangers or the BT Digital Inclusion Campaign: 
-Emmanuel Xirogiannis 
E: emmanuel.xirogiannis@trimediahc.com / T: 0207 025 7513 / W: www.btinternetrangers.co.uk