Local group, 492 ( Solihull ) Squadron Air Cadets, in Shirley has received an e-ffective Connection Award through BT Community Connections - a nationwide award scheme that connects community and voluntary groups to the internet.

The e-ffective Connection Award is an additional offering of IT equipment to supplement the NEC internet-ready PC previously received by BT Community Connections winners. 492 won the award by demonstrating how additional IT equipment would enhance their work and ultimately benefit the wider local community. Five 'packages' of a mixture of computer/IT equipment worth up to £600 each were available for applicants to choose from. 492 Squadron has been awarded an NEC laptop as well as a multifunction colour printer/scanner.

Now in its fourth year, the BT Community Connections scheme has awarded more than 5,000 IT packages to thousands of community groups across the UK , benefiting over five million people and opening up a world of marketing, training, recruitment, fundraising, communication and networking possibilities.

492 Squadron was one of hundreds of applicants that entered the award scheme and impressed judges with its ideas on how it will continue to benefit the local community using the additional equipment offered through the e-ffective Connection Award package.

The group plans to use the laptop to visit schools and perform recruitment presentations efficiently and professionally with greater use of multimedia. They also hold an annual presentation evening to recognise the plethora of achievements and awards gained by the cadets. Additionally the colour printer and scanner will be a major enabler for a portable office on adventure training exercises.

Flt Lt Elliot Hemes said: "We are delighted to receive our BT Community Connections award. The further award will continue to increase efficiency and ease with which training can be undertaken, allowing more BTEC qualifications to be gained for example. Not only is the squadron capable of helping to educate young people, but we're also now regularly involved in training adult staff in adventure training and first aid using the technology BT Community Connections has provided.

Beth Courtier, head of BT's charity programme said: "Research showed us that although an internet ready PC was a huge bonus for many of our previous winners, many needed additional IT resources as well. The e-ffective Connection Award therefore gives community groups the opportunity to choose an IT package which they really need rather than receiving something that perhaps would not be so beneficial. We hope this additional award will encourage our winners to continue and expand their group's positive work in the local community by enabling them to develop internet-related projects on a wider and more in-depth scale."

For more information regarding BT Community Connections visit the website www.btcommunityconnections.com