Families donate over 700 laptops to campaign
Hundreds of laptops have been donated to help children during the national lockdown.
Families across the North East have pledged more than 700 devices in response to a new ‘Laptops for Kids’ campaign.
The campaign aims to provide the necessary technology for all children to ensure that remote learning can take place while schools remain closed.
Local companies and organisations have come together to launch ‘Donate Digital’ where individuals and organisations can pledge to donate redundant laptops, tablets and PCs, and schools can make requests for equipment.
The machines will be data wiped to the strictest Government
guidance and upgraded, then distributed to children who require them most.
Sunderland-based Rebuyer, which specialises in recycling IT equipment, has facilitatedthe project, while staff who have learned skills at Code, a digital skills training academy in Sunderland.
Simon Howatson, chief executive of Code and Rebuyer, said: “The ongoing disruption to education means that thousands of children without access to technology are at a disadvantage..
“Many households have IT equipment they don’t use anymore, which we can recycle and provide to children who don’t have a laptop or tablet.
“We’ve had a phenomenal response from families across, with over 700 devices now pledged. Together we can make a real difference and ensure no child is left behind.”
According to analysis from the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, at least 55,000 families in the North East do not have access to a laptop, tabletor desktop computer–with fears many could fall behind with their education.