Nearly 100 computers have been donated to a community campaign to help ensure every child is able to complete their school work in lockdown.
But at least another 900 are needed in Redcar and Cleveland for every school child to have their own laptop or tablet – and community heroes have vowed to make it happen.
The #compsforkids campaign is the work of Redcar group Ladies of Steel, Marske and New Marske Community Information Group (MNMCIG) and Redcar businessman Ja Reed of EnterIT who has been refurbishing the computers for free.
It is now also being backed by the council which is organising collections and working with schools to arrange the refurbishment of the computers.
The first laptop has already been given to a boy from Dormanstown. The child gave the campaigners an envelope which contained all his Christmas money. “We politely refused his donation but we do really, really appreciate his offer and applaud him for his kindness," said Chris Powlay, who helps run Dormanstown's Corus Sports and Steel Club with his wife, Debbie, who is Chair of the Ladies of Steel. “It just shows how much of a need there is.
“It started because a friend on Facebook was talking about it, He knew a family in Dormanstown with three children. The oldest had to share a laptop with his mum and the two youngest were sharing a mobile phone. This is to do their schoolwork. We thought we'd do what we could to help and it's just got bigger and bigger. I know Ja Reed who does a lot with computers and he helped and then Karen King at MNMCIG and it's taken off."
Ja Reed, who has an IT business called EnterIT, has added new hard drives to most of the computers to ensure long-term use and has welcomed the fact that schools will in future be involved in restoring the computers. He said: “It started really small but has just snowballed. I got a call to see if I could donate a couple to a school and I said, 'yes.' Then I got a call from Chris who said a friend had donated five and could I wipe and refurbish them for a small fee. I said, if the parts are covered, I'll work for free. We thought we'd have a few, maybe a dozen, but with the help of Karen King we've collected about 100 so far and there's more coming in all the time."
“Karen King of MNMCIG explained new hard drives were being bought where necessary. She said: “To help with buying replacement parts and chargers we have also had a generous donation of £300 from a lady in Marske, who wishes to remain anonymous. The Marske, New Marske and Redcar Coronavirus Support Group made a large donation which their volunteers raised by donating any money the people they have helped with shopping and other tasks gave them for petrol and expenses which they wanted to give to the community rather than keep for themselves, and several ward councillors have donated money from their ward allowances. We have even had envelopes with small cash donations to help with the upgrade costs of the laptops people have donated to us for free. We've had such lovely messages from teachers about how it's going to help these children and take the pressure off the schools and families. It's heart-warming."
Councillor Alison Barnes, Cabinet Member for Children, said: “I'd like to congratulate everyone involved in this wonderful project and every last person who has donated so far. This will have an immediate, positive impact on our children and young people who need to access a computer to do their work during lockdown."
Organisers stress that any laptops or tablets will be wiped of personal data free of charge and then upgraded before being passed on to your local schools to be allocated to the children most in need.
To donate a laptop or tablet, simply place the device in a sealed bag, call ahead to your local library or one of three other drop-off centres and you'll be asked to sign an agreement form when you arrive. Library numbers are: Grangetown Library, 01642 454417; Marske Library, 01642 485440; Ormesby, 01642 314716; Skelton Library, 01287 650487; Redcar Library, 01642 444141; Guisborough Library, 01287 632668; South Bank Library, 01642 513699; Loftus Library, 01287 640582; Saltburn Library, 01287 623584.
Alternatively, call ahead to Redcar Heart building, 01642 444100; Inspire2Learn in South Bank, 01642 467138; or the South Tees Business Centre, (just off the A66 near South Bank), 01642 438438
A plastic carrier bag sealed with tape will do for sealing. When dropping off a laptop or tablet, please remember to comply with social distancing. Cash donations will not be accepted by staff at the centres.
The devices will be given to schools for allocation to the families most in need.
More information about how to donate also available at the Ladies of Steel Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/LadiesofsteelDormanstown