YOUNGSTERS' computer skills will be enhanced thanks to a £10,000 donation from Manx Telecom.

The firm recently presented £10,000 to help fund the Manx Telecom Computer Bus for a further year (LEFT)

The computer bus, now celebrating its 10th anniversary of operation, gives teachers and students around the Island a cutting-edge learning aid. It has made hundreds of school visits, involving thousands of children since it first hit the road.

Earlier this year, the bus underwent a complete revamp, when it was given a smart new livery and fitted out with 23 of the latest Apple iMac computers, plus advanced educational software.

MT managing director Chris Hall said: 'We have been supporting the computer bus for over 10 years now.

'One of the keys to the Island's future will be our ability to nurture a generation of youngsters with the highest possible IT skills. That means we need to make sure that our school children are given the best possible start, and that means making the best possible computer facilities available to them.

'The computer bus has made a huge difference to thousands of children, and we at Manx Telecom are proud to be able to help the teachers, and the Department of Education, in doing such a great job.'

DoE information communication technology adviser Graham Kinrade said: 'The Manx Telecom Computer Bus has provided an invaluable service to schools over the last 10 years, and has assisted in the education of countless Manx children and staff.

'With Manx Telecom's generous support, we look forward to this continuing into the future. The Department of Education is very grateful to Manx Telecom for its long-term support of such a valuable resource.'

COMPUTER BUS ENTERS ELEVENTH YEAR,,,

IT WAS IN SEPTEMBER 1998 that the Manx Telecomputer Bus first hit the roads with a launch at Sulby School.

Over  the last ten years the bus has made hundreds of school visits, involving thousands of children. Just a few of the highlights from its last 10 years of service are:

• April 1999: the Manx Telecomputer Bus is used by US database giant Oracle to secretly trial Think.com, the global community for learning

• June 1999: students from St Ninian’s and Ballakermeen high schools accompany the bus to the BBC Tomorrow’s World Live Exhibition at Earls Court in London.

• June 2003: the bus is runner-up in two prestigious awards – the Vodafone e-Well Being award and the New Statesman New Media award.

• October 2003: the bus is nominated for an Isle of Man Newspapers and British Airways CitiExpress Pride in Mann award.

• April 2007: a milestone is reached – 30 years on the road, as passenger vehicle and teaching aid alike.

• January 2008: John Thornley, pioneer of the Manx Telecomputer Bus, receives an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

Going back still further, the bus actually started life more than 30 years ago. Its first two decades were spent with Isle of Man National Transport, right up until December 27 1997 when, as the last Leyland National in service in the Island, it took enthusiasts on one final round trip.

Check out some of these highlights here:

1. •History of MAN 30N
   

2. •Conversion
   

3. •1998 Launch
   

4. •UK Visits
   

5. •30th Birthday
   

6. •2008 relaunch
   

7. •Latest news with the Bus Blog...
   

None of it would have been possible without the help of sponsorship from Manx Telecom and Tours Isle of Man – now Protours.

As the bus enters its ELEVENTH Year, upcoming highlights will include BBC BLAST in October at the Villa Marina, celebrating Radio Caroline North at the House of Mannanan in Peel, plus the usual round of school visits beginning this week with Murray’s Road School in Douglas...