Web changed internet champion's life

By Jemima Laing
BBC Devon

Dave Howe with his award from Age UK and BT

"The only way I can describe it is that the internet has changed my life."

That is how David Howe from Seaton, who has just been named one of Age UK's two internet champions for 2011, feels about the web.

David, 70, has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and found it hard to manage his life before getting to grips with the internet.

Now he can do pretty much anything he needs to - from banking to buying and selling stamps on eBay - online.

And he wants to spread his enthusiasm for the web among other older people and that is part of his role as a digital champion.

David will work with the charity over the coming year to help show the 6,000,000 people over 65 who have never used the internet what a difference it can make to their life.

"I really enjoy showing people what they can do," said David, who is also an IT volunteer trainer at Age UK Devon.

I've just joined Facebook Dave Howe

"I helped a lady recently who had been given a laptop and was too scared to even open it after three months - I just want people to know there is nothing to be frightened of.

"Some people don't want to use their credit cards online so I say to them, 'Don't then', just do what you want to do."

His success has even attracted praise from his local MP Neil Parish.

"The work David has undertaken in his local community is to be admired and it is great to see his hard work and dedication to helping local people recognised on a national level," said Neil.

Because of his mobility issues David was connected virtually to the awards ceremony at London's BT Tower at the end of January.

"I was over the moon to have won.

"When I applied I never thought I would make it to the final, never mind win the competition."

And David - who used to run an amusement arcade in Seaton - says he is discovering new things about the internet all the time himself.

"I've just joined Facebook and I can keep in touch with my granddaughter who is at Newcastle University, I'm just building up my friends, it's great."