Building links with schools and college
Three education establishments have welcomed some early Christmas gifts worth more than £20,000 donated by Gentoo and contractor Tolent.
A total of 26 students from Dubmire Primary Academy and Kepier school in the Houghton area and those studying construction subjects at East Durham College have received a new laptop thanks to the support of both companies to help with at-home learning.
As well as the laptops to Dubmire Primary, £1,500 was also donated to sponsor its breakfast club following a recent cut in funding and £2,000 has been donated to the school that each year uses local charities to help provide at least one toy to those children whose families are struggling during the festive period.
Tolent is on-site for Gentoo on a new housing development in the Houghton area, creating 44 affordable homes for rent.
The Brockwell Green development is being delivered in partnership with Homes England and will see two and three-bedroom homes, as well as two-bedroom bungalows built on the site.
Adam Hog bin, Year 6 teacher at Dubmire Primary Academy, said: "On behalf of Dub mi re, we are overwhelmed by the generosity that Tolent and Gentoo have displayed.
“The generous donations of laptops comes at a time when the need for virtual interactive learning is greater than ever.
“These laptops will be used to allow our most vulnerable children to remain supported and allow them to access all forms of homework, or if needed isolated home learning.”
The Brock well Green scheme pays homage to the area’s local mining heritage and is named after a pit line at the former Houghton Colliery.
Chris Price, regional director for Tolent, said: “It’s a pleasure to be supporting our local schools, colleges and communities at a time when it’s probably needed more than ever.
“The commitment we pledge across every site to enrich the communities we work in is something we take very seriously.”
Joanne Gordon, dev elopment director at Gentoo Group, said: “We know education is extremely important, especially during the on-going pandemic.
"And I’m delighted that we’re able to end this year by providing vital donations of equipment and funding that will be of huge benefit to local children and families in the Houghton area.”