Help for pupils in Calderdale to learn at home

Support has been flooding in for the Laptops For Learning Appeal, a joint initiative between Calderdale Council and the Community Foundation for Calderdale.

Steve Duncan, CEO of the Foundation, said: “I just want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has donated to the Laptops for Learning Appeal. We have been blown away with people’s generosity, nearly £40,000 raised in less than two weeks.

“The first batch of laptops and supporting equipment have been ordered and over 130 children and young people will shortly benefit and be able to learn remotely.

“We need at least three times what’s been raised so far to provide all the laptops so please can I encourage you to donate through LocalGiving at https://localgiving.org/charity/cffc/project/laptopforlearning/ or through the Valley Learning Partnership at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/end-the-digital-divide-for-calderdale-pupils.”

Coun Adam Wilkinson, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “A big thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Thanks to the kindness of our communities, more local pupils will get the vital equipment they need to learn from home and stay connected with their teachers, social workers and friends throughout lockdown.

“We know that remote learning brings many challenges. Our schools, families and young people continue to do an amazing job, and we look forward to the latest laptop deliveries being made soon to boost this.  

“There are still more families who would benefit from this technology. The Laptops for Learning Appeal remains open for anyone who is able to donate.”