A PORTLAND man has received help in his bid to help others beat the recession.

Househusband Paul Hopkins, 29, has been given a laptop computer by housing association Synergy after a plea in the Dorset Echo.

The father-of-three hopes his Step-Up, Start-Up business can help struggling firms and people trying to get back into the jobs market.

He said: “I’ll visit local people and businesses and make them aware of the help that is out there. They won’t have to take time out and it won’t cost them anything.

“I just like helping people to get ahead and not fall behind.”

The big-hearted volunteer hopes the donation will help him to build on his work with the winners of a recent Dragons’ Den-style competition backed by the Dorset Echo.

Local business leaders judged a host of entries in Weymouth and Portland council’s Step-up, Start-Up competition, with MP Jim Knight handing out the prizes.

Now Paul is co-ordinating the efforts of 13 businesses who made it through to the final stages and says his laptop will help him to help others.

Weymouth and Portland Housing’s Sherree Westwood said the Synergy group was delighted to support Paul. She added: “Paul is providing a valuable service offering help and advice to people looking to get back to work and it’s something that has been well received by our tenants.”