Race Online 2012 provides a rallying cry for us all to create a truly networked nation - and a chance to get millions more people online by the end of 2012. This will be an Olympic legacy that will benefit us all.

The 10 million people in the UK who have never been online are already missing out on big consumer savings, access to information and education. They will be even more isolated and disadvantaged as government and industry expand ever faster into digital-only services. We must change our mindset from one that shields people from using the internet to one that helps empower them to get online and enjoy all the benefits.

Ve Interactive supports Race online 2012's work to improve the life chances of the 10 million UK adults who have never been online.

It's hard to imagine business without the internet. It's integrated into all areas of enterprise - making operations more dynamic, efficient and profitable. Yet according to a recent report by PwC, there are 10 million people in the UK who have never been online and worryingly 4 million of this group are also socially excluded. That's a staggering 10 million potential customers, employees, stakeholders and investors who are excluded from the digital world.

It sounds as though there's a mountain to climb before the country becomes a truly networked nation, but it's far from an insurmountable problem. For example, if everyone who's online taught just one person to use the internet, then problem solved!

Together, we have the skills and infrastructure to make the UK one of the first countries in the world to establish a fully online, internet enabled society.

We are delighted to announce that Ve Interactive has become an official partner of Race Online 2012. Led by the UK's Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox, Race Online 2012 is a landmark challenge which has one proposed mission - to create life enhancing opportunities for the 10 million adults who have never been online. It's a fantastic opportunity to join a movement that already has support from the likes of Skype, Comet, Google, and McDonalds and we're asking all our staff, clients and stakeholders to sign up and get involved too.

There are three simple reasons to get involved:

1. Financial - with more people online, businesses can save time and money through e-commerce, e-billing, online recruitment and more.
2. HR - online training for employees and /or their friends and family creates a more motivated and productive workforce.
3. CSR - Race Online 2012 will create a more skilled workforce and a more connected society, which in turn will attract investment and create opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Being able to use the internet changes and improves lives. For example, Anna-Marie Cope from Nottingham said:

"I thought computers were for the upper-classes. The World Wide Web is immense: there's no stopping what you can do. I want all my friends to have the opportunity I've had to have a total transformation."

logo

Whatever you do, there are ways you can help - get your own business partners involved and encourage them to sign up, donate IT equipment locally, train staff to use the web or run training courses for your local community. If you're already doing great work in this area, you can pass on your experiences to help inspire others to get involved. Joining Race Online 2012 only takes five minutes, so just follow these three simple steps:

1. Click on www.raceonline2012.org and sign up to be a partner
2. Think about how your organisation can help and make your Digital Promise
3. Roll out your programme and start getting people online

Once you're on board, you can download a certificate of Official Partnership and you'll get access to a host of special materials designed to help Ve Interactive's partners organise and promote their initiative, including logos, press releases and quotes. There are also white-label materials developed by UK online centres that teach anyone to 'Pass IT on' to friends and family.

It really is that simple. It doesn't require money or sponsorship, just a little time. Together, we have an extraordinary and remarkable opportunity to build a truly world leading Digital UK. Please join us now.

To read more stories about how getting online changes lives, please visit www.raceonline2012.org