AN IT company owner is urging borough businesses to donate old laptops for children with no access to online learning.

James Cash, owner of Superfast IT in Stourbridge, is backing a national campaign to bridge the digital divide – providing disadvantaged children with laptops during the national coronavirus lockdown.

The campaign is supporting schools and families across the Black Country and Birmingham – without which James fears thousands of children would be left behind.

He said: “It is important that kids stop missing out on education. I am backing this campaign to raise awareness of the wide-spread issue and encourage local businesses to donate their old laptops. We are also matching anyone that buys a brand-new laptop.

“There will be businesses with unused laptops collecting dust – I urge them to get in touch. We can properly wipe the laptop and install appropriate software before distributing to schools and families in the local area.

“I have been overwhelmed by the positive response and support for the campaign. Our entire team feels a real sense of pride and joy to be making a difference. This is shared by the people and businesses that have generously donated, who all feel passionately about the campaign.

“Many of us are parents or grandparents and can’t imagine the impossible task to learn without a laptop – also depriving the children with the opportunity to learn digital skills, hindering their future job prospects.”

Two Stourbridge based businesses – Player PA in Hagley and The Boro’ Foundry at Lye – have bought brand-new laptops in response to the campaign, which Superfast IT has matched.

A total of 12 brand-new laptops have been donated so far, and a further seven businesses have donated 18 second-hand laptops and tablets.

Seven new laptops have been delivered to Newfield Park Primary School in Halesowen and five to Mount Pleasant Primary School, Quarry Bank.

Helen Robinson, headteacher at Mount Pleasant Primary, said: “It is absolutely amazing, we can't thank Superfast IT enough. These five extra devices will make such a difference to our families, many of whom have two or more children. Sharing a device to complete remote learning can be extremely challenging.”

Reports suggest millions of children in the UK are missing out on full time education – coupled with well-being concerns – with no access to online mental health support or the chance to connect with peers.

To donate a second-hand laptop contact hello@superfast-it.com.