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Garndiffaith grandfather tracks down long-lost grandchildren on Facebook

11:30am Thursday 2nd September 2010

A GARNDIFFAITH grandfather who had not spoken to his grandchildren for 17 years tracked them down on the other side of the world when he was given a new computer.

Now 64-year-old Ray Davies has exchanged messages and pictures on Facebook with the teenagers and has renewed contact with his long-lost family in Australia.

Mr Davies of British School Close, was given a free computer as part of the Melin homes Getting Connected scheme.

Once Mr Davies was set up with his new computer he signed up to the social networking site to try and find family in Australia he had lost touch with and the granddaughters who he had never spoken to.

He said: "I found my granddaughter Tegan using the search feature and sent a message asking how she was and explaining that I'm her grandfather.

"It was a very emotional moment when I got that first message back - she called me Gramps."

Since exchanging messages with granddaughter Tegan Davies, 17, in Melbourne Mr Davies has also spoken to Tegan's younger sister Paige Davies, 14.

He said: "I've put photos on Facebook and she's downloaded them, now I know what they're doing and can see who their friends are - I feel I'm a part of their lives now.

"I think it's a wonderful thing for my generation."

Mr Davies received his computer three months ago after Melin told him he was eligible for the scheme that has distributed 150 free computers to Melin residents in the Heads of the Valleys area, with funding from the Assembly.

Mr Davies said: "I had an old computer that I more or less learned on but it was coming to the end of its life when Melin offered me a brand new HP computer."

Melin has now been shortlisted from more than 250 entries for the 2010 UK Housing Awards, and is now one of six left in the running for the supporting social and economic inclusion category. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on November 10.

Chief Executive of Melin Homes, Mark Gardner said: "I am delighted to have our hard work recognised by our peers. The other big thrill for me however, is hearing stories such as Mr Davies who is getting real benefits from his computer."

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