ANDREW Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, is encouraging constituents to donate their old technology to be refurbished and given to schools to assist children learning from home.
Michael Brooks and Cerid Grimshaw, who run ZenTec Network Solutions, an IT support company based in Dukinfield, appealed to other business owners during lockdown to donate their old tech so that they could refurbish them and help children in need for their school work.
They made their first donations in December to a children’s home in Hazel Grove, Tameside East Foodbank, and St Phillip’s and St James’s Foodbank.
Since Christmas, they have started an appeal on social media and Mr Gwynne joined them as they made a donation to Ravensfield Primary School, Dukinfield, who needed more IT so that pupils without devices can learn from home during the current national lockdown.
Ravensfield were allocated 59 devices by the Government for home schooling but needed 200; the total number of donations currently stands at 15 devices.
Mr Gwynne said: “This crisis has highlighted so many inequalities in our society, including a digital divide which leaves some children unable to learn from home.
“Unfortunately, the Government has been far too slow in addressing this crisis.
“What Cerid, Michael and ZenTec have done is absolutely fantastic and will make such a difference to the children at Ravensfield and elsewhere.
“This is a brilliant initiative and I’d encourage all constituents who have a spare laptop or tablet to consider donating to this appeal.
“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to ZenTec and to everyone who has already donated.”
Ravensfield headteacher Karen Leyland added: “We are delighted with the very kind donations of laptops/tablets we have received and if anyone would like to make any donations please contact the school.
“We would also like to say thank you so much on behalf of all our families that will benefit from these generous donations.”
• If you have old IT devices you no longer use and you want to donate them to refurbish and pass on to school children, contact ZenTec Network Solutions by calling
0161 359 3986 or email enquiries@zentecns.co.uk
• To contact Ravensfield about a donation, call 0161 344 2905.