As a second lockdown takes hold and online learning accelerates many families are battling with balancing work commitments with children using Zoom and online tools. I was shocked to learn that in one area not far from me up to 17% of children had no access to a digital devices. In this alone some families have multiple kids sharing Mum or Dad's smart phone trying to do online learning.

Myself and a few colleagues have been taking donated laptops from corporates and the local community via facebook groups, devices less than 11 years old with no bits hanging off, securely wiping and refurbishing them into usable Chromebook type devices and getting them out to families with a need.

We've completed just over 30 devices and exhausted personal parts bins I'm looking to fund raise with a target of getting 200+ devices out to families. The limiting factor has been donated devices but by contacting corporate recyclers direct and some careful Ebay bidding we are able to secure the needed scale.

£50-60 is enough to buy a usable laptop to be used as a base for a minimal refurbishment

£20-£30 is the typical amount spent on a donated laptop to replace aging parts or chargers.

Sometime a few £s is needed for some broken or missing cables assemblies.

Devices will be distributed via Schools who have a keen understanding of those with a need and via other local initiatives including foodbanks with tech programmes.

Update:

- 21/1 - 2 laptops delivered to Ashtead School & 2 more arrived from Ebay

-2/2 We've hit over 50 laptops out now with a mix of donations and bulk buy from Ebay. Thanks everyone