Firms urged to donate laptops to schools
SOME ARE ALREADY HELPING OUT NOTTINGHAM SCHOOLS
BUSINESS leaders are urging companies in the region to help with laptop donations to schools.
East Midlands Chamber has called on support from businesses in passing on spare IT equipment to homeworking parents who may be unable to afford laptops or tablets for their children.
The Post recently reported on a number of schools needing help with supplying equipment for their pupils working remotely.
While schools remain open to vulnerable children and those with critical worker parents, the majority of students are having to work at home.
But after concerns were raised that not everyone can afford the necessary equipment for online homeschooling, the Chamber says there will be some companies that can step in to offer support.
Director of resources at East Midlands Chamber, Lucy Robinson said: “It’s become increasingly clear throughout this pandemic that Covid-19 is only serving to widen gaps between people according to their socioeconomic groups.
“We absolutely must not allow this to also lead to a widening of the education gap as there’s plenty of evidence to show how important a decent education is to setting children up for a good career – enabling them to contribute to the local economy in future.
“We would encourage companies to help out by either loaning or donating kit to their own employees who fall into this category, or to schools and dedicated charities.”
Some firms have already offered their help.
Asda has announced that it is working with Dell Technologies to provide 470 laptops to schools across the East Midlands - including 150 in Nottinghamshire.
The supermarket is investing £2million so that every Asda store in the UK can donate at least 10 laptops to a school in need in their local community.
It is expected the first shipment of laptops will be shipped directly to schools next month with the remainder to follow in March.
Roger Burnley, CEO and President of Asda, said: “We want to do all we can to help break down the digital barriers so they can continue their education remotely.”
Dayne Turbitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Dell Technologies in the UK, said: “As a global technology company committed to driving human progress, we want to help support families across the UK with access to devices, connectivity and the critical tools needed to fully participate in remote learning.”
Elsewhere, Heanor-based bus operator trentbarton, which provides services in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, has donated two laptops to Enterprise for Education (E4E).
distinguished.
On Saturday mornings, chauffeur-driven prestigious car arriving around the store was a truly memorable scene.
A few times a year, even I alighted there with that style and panache, through mother’s affiliation with an organisation the Woman’s Voluntary Service, (WVS). Lady Graham was the area president, and mother was her ladyship’s loyal ad camp with the appointments portfolio.
WVS members wore a greenlygrey costume with matching tricorne hats. The WVS insignia was emboldened on the breast pockets, and on the hats. A particular Saturday morning in 1955, her Ladyship stopped outside our house. Driving her brand new Rolls-royce Silver Could 1, as the WVS was holding a meeting on the top flood of “Griffin and Spalding.”
Upon arrival at the store, we were greeted by a pair of elegantly attired commissioners, one said: “Good morning, your ladyship, being as you have a meeting, would you like me to drive the car in our designated car park?” Her Ladyship replied: “I am obliged to you, Smithers, thank you.”
When they went to their meeting, an assistant dressed in shop regalia, took me to source every item of school uniform. Having tried the clothing on for the correct fit, she promptly packaged them. Every garment had been made in Nottingham factories, excluding the leather shoes which were of Mansfield origin.
When we assembled to return home, the car stood outside the main entrance, with the shopping stowed neatly in the boot. The days of that level of civility, and service alas will not have been experienced by many, or anyone shopping in Nottingham again! Nigel J Starbuck Bingham