Grateful families receiving the latest Mail Force laptops thanked Daily Mail readers for their ‘unbelievable generosity’ – with one father adding: ‘They deserve medals’.
The computers will enable youngsters to avoid having to share devices with their siblings and parents, putting an end to some family tensions.
For some, they will no longer have to try to watch lessons or undertake work using the small screen of a mobile phone.
Crucially, they will enable children to catch up on their learning when schools return on March 8.
(From left) Evelyn McElkerney, 7, Malgorzata Staniec, 10, Harry Rider, 11, Elsie Griffiths, 7, and Rhys Brooks, 6 from Beaumont Primary School, Warrington, Cheshire, received their tablet computers
The Mail Force van made its most recent delivery to Beamont Primary School in Warrington, Cheshire – which has received six devices from our charity appeal, on top of 52 given by the Department for Education.
Mail Force has raised £11million in cash and computers for its ambitious initiative from Daily Mail readers, philanthropists and leading businesses.
It is supplying refurbished and new computers, as well as 150,000 Vodaphone sim cards, to help pupils access online learning.
The scheme is operating alongside the Department for Education’s own mighty drive to supply 1.3million devices.
Proudly showing off his new laptop was Jake Beswick. The seven-year-old, one of five siblings, said: ‘I feel so happy. I’m going to get loads more done.’
Delighted Jamie Jervis, 11, from Beaumont Primary School, shows off his computer with mum Sarah, 39
His mother Michelle, 36, a cleaner at Beamont Academy, said: ‘It’s really going to help us.
‘We currently have four devices – two iPads, one large computer and one laptop.’
Husband Jason, 44, a self-employed driving instructor prior to the pandemic but who is currently out of work, said: ‘We’d like to say a massive thank you. It means they can now have a device each so it’ll save the arguing.’
Jamie Jervis, 11, is one of nine children who live with parents Sarah, 39, and Graham, 49, who owns a gardening business.
He received his new laptop on Thursday – which came as a late birthday present as he turned 11 the day before.
He will share it with younger brother Keegan, ten, whose birthday was the previous week.
Mrs Jervis, a full-time mother, said: ‘Having this laptop will be a big help even after March, as the children will be able to use it for homework when they go back to class. It’s really generous and we’re really grateful.
‘Thanks to all who donated.’
Another family benefiting are the Rowleys – parents Steve, 49, and Limara, 35, and their five children aged 4 to 13. Youngest son Oscar, nine, proudly took delivery, and will share the Mail Force computer with brothers Tristan, ten, and Spencer, 11.
Mr Rowley, 49, a caretaker at Beamont, said of Daily Mail readers who have donated to Mail Force: ‘I’d love to shake their hands. It’s unbelievable generosity – they deserve medals.’
Jo Warburton, business manager at Beamont, which covers some of the more deprived areas of the town, said: ‘These donations are going to transform families. The majority of children who will be receiving them are using their parents’ mobile phones.
‘When people say having a laptop changes their lives, you can’t underestimate those words.’
HOW TO DONATE TO COMPUTERS FOR KIDS
TO YOU, THE READER: How to send us donations
The Daily Mail has launched a brand new campaign, Computers For Kids, to raise money for Mail Force – a charity which aims to provide much needed school equipment and resources for pupils across the UK learning from home.
With schools closed, we are left with the dilemma of hundreds of thousands of pupils in the UK having no access to a computer in their home.
As part of this campaign, companies are donating their old laptops which, for around £15, can be wiped, professionally refurbished and made safe and fit for home schooling. They can then be delivered to a child or young person who needs one.
In addition, the campaign is looking to support children’s needs in other ways such as funding brand new laptops and tablets, and assisting with data access and connectivity for online learning. Any surplus funds will be used to support of the work of UK schools via other means.
TO MAKE A DONATION ONLINE
Visit mailforcecharity.co.uk/donate and follow the steps to complete your donation.
Please don’t send us your old device.
TO MAKE A DONATION VIA YOUR PHONE
To donate £10 – text KIDS10 to 70115
To donate £20 – text KIDS20 to 70115
TO COMPANIES: Could you give your old laptops?
Upgrading office computers is something all companies do from time to time – and there has never been a better time to donate old laptops. If you are a company with 50 laptops or more that you could give, please visit www.computacenter.com/daily-mail to check they are suitable and register your donation. We will arrange for collection by our specialist partners Computacenter. Please note: we cannot accept donated laptops from individuals.
COMPANIES SHOULD GO TO: computacenter.com/daily-mail
TO SCHOOLS: Where to apply for the computers
Schools must apply to the Department for Education, which is managing the demand and prioritising the schools most in need. The Mail Force initiative means more laptops will become available more quickly.
SCHOOLS CAN APPLY HERE: https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk