Betty succeeds at Centre founded by son

In 1999, Geoff Lynas, set up Terminus, a training resource centre in Saltburn. Geoff is a former Rolls Royce Aerospace Senior Computer Systems Designer. Terminus offers free computer courses, primarily for the unemployed, retired people, small businesses and people living in rural east Cleveland who are looking to brush up their computing skills.

Terminus was set up with the support of the University of Teesside's Community Informatics Research Applications team, ONE NorthEast, and the local business community. By 2003, it had enrolled its 1,000th student. And during that year, another very special student enrolled - Geoff's own mother, Betty!

Mother of two, and grandmother of three, Betty, 76, from Saltburn, is a former military staff car driver, serving in Germany from 1946 - 48. She came to the centre as a complete novice to computers. However, that hasn't stopped her from achieving University Certificate of Professional Development (UCPD) courses in Information Technology, Desk Top Publishing, Internet and Word Processing at the Saltburn Terminus Centre.

Over 300 people will attend special graduation ceremonies throughout March to celebrate their achievements in passing UCPD courses. Betty will graduate on Monday 8 March at a special ceremony, along with other UCPD computing students.

Speaking at Terminus, Betty said: “The courses were very challenging but I was determined to do well. As a complete novice to computers, I was a bit daunted at first and I found the mouse very difficult to control. But as I spent more time on the computers, I got really use to them. The staff at the centre are smashing and very encouraging to older people. I believe in keeping busy as you get older and it's always good to learn new things. “Doing my courses at a centre my son set up to help the local community has made it even more special. I've always been proud of Geoff for what he has achieved with Terminus, and now I am even prouder than ever before.”

Geoff Lynas, 51, said: “My mum is a brilliant example of what Terminus is all about. She challenged herself to have a go, showed great determination, and succeeded. I am very proud of her and I wouldn’t miss the awards ceremony for the world. It will be a great night!”

The dates of the UCPD graduation ceremonies are:

Monday 8 March - School of Computing
Monday 15 March & Monday 22 March - School of Health & Social Care
Wednesday 31 March - School of Arts & Media, Teesside Business School, School of Social Sciences & Law, School of Science & Technology and the Centre for Lifelong Learning.

All of the graduations begin at 7pm and will be held in the Main Hall of the Middlesbrough Tower.

Members of the media are welcome to attend any of the ceremonies.

The Terminus Centre in Saltburn is based on Station Street. For further information about the variety of free, IT-related courses on offer, call 01287 624843.

For general information about the University of Teesside's UCPD courses, offered throughout the Tees Valley, call 01642 384277 or visit www.tees.ac.uk

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