Powerful laptop offer for schools

Energy company Drax has delivered a further 320 laptops with prepaid internet access to schools and colleges across Britain.

The power giant, which operates the Ben Cruachan Power Station at Dalmally, has been making donations to schools local to its operations, and has given a further 20 laptops to schools in Argyll and Bute. That takes the total donated by Drax to schools in Argyll and Bute alone to nearly 100.

Across Britain, more than 1,200 laptops have gone to nearly 100 schools. The offer is to help students catch-up where learning has been affected by Covid lockdowns. The £60,000 investment includes three months of pre-paid internet access via a 30GB dongle.

Will Gardiner, Drax Group chief executive officer, said: ‘Ensuring no child is left disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic is crucial if we are to avoid a lost generation of young people and we are helping them to stay connected and catch up on their learning.’

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara commented: ‘This is a fantastic donation that will benefit so many young people as well as a great example of how companies operating and providing employment in this area can foster good community relations.

‘As well as donations of laptops, the provision of dongles will be welcome in areas where connectivity can be poor.’

Yvonne McNeilly, policy lead for education at Argyll and Bute Council, said: ‘These laptops will enable our children and young people to access a huge range of resources to support their education.’