Campaign to help school children in and around Warwick and Leamington access online learning off to strong start

A campaign that aims to help school children in and around Warwick and Leamington access online learning has got off to a strong start.

The ‘Link Kids to Learning’ campaign has supplied nearly 70 reconditioned laptops and tablets to local primary and junior schools since its launch just under a week ago.

The brainchild of IT consultant Gary Harvey of Cool Breeze Technology Services and the Warwick and Leamington Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group, the initiative aims to provide every child in the area with the device they need to learn online in the safety of their own home.

Gary said: “The response to our Facebook appeal and from my own customers has been incredible, and is testimony to the public’s generosity and what can be achieved by working together.”

Schools such as Clapham Terrace, Coten End, Telford, Cubbington, Woodloes, Emscote, Barford and Newburgh have already benefitted from the scheme, and there are more in the pipeline.

Julie Miles, Headteacher at Clapham Terrace Primary School, said: “With so many parents and carers working from home, access to devices isn’t easy for our children.

"This is a great illustration of the benefit that community spirit can bring.”

Gary added: "With a national shortfall in home computers due to the high demand driven by the pandemic, we can help bridge the digital divide and enable every child in South Warwickshire to access education at the earliest opportunity."

If anyone has a device that they no longer need, they can details of what they can offer to: [email protected]

Gary said he will delete all remaining data from your donated devices in absolute confidence and reconfigure the hardware with the latest Windows or iOS software, ready for schools to use immediately.