Tech firm launches £20,000 crowdfunding appeal to help tackle the digital divide in Leeds

Since the start of the third national lockdown and schools being closed, the issues of inequality have also been highlighted - with the inability of thousands of families to access the means to learn at home and online being one of them.

Despite government roll-outs of laptops and internet access there are still gaps where some children are unable to learn remotely and, with schools set to be shut for several weeks there are fears over the impact this will continue to have on their education.

Following on from other schemes and projects around the city, Digital Access West Yorkshire this week launched a crowd-funding appeal, via GOFundMe, to raise £20,000 to help provide disadvantaged kids across West Yorkshire with laptops and data during lockdown.

Digital Access West Yorkshire was formed in April last year in a bid to address this need across West Yorkshire communities. They have a waiting list of over 200 referrals for devices from partners across the region and it is growing by the day.

Every donation of £259 will buy a Chromebook which will be distributed via a network of senior leaders in local schools.

AND Digital, a tech company focused on accelerating digital delivery for firms, has kicked off the campaign with a donation of £1000.

It has bases across the country, including one at Water Lane in Leeds.

Gareth Bell from AND Digital said: "The coronavirus pandemic has been a disaster on many levels, from the tragic loss of life, to the impact on our mental health, and the catastrophic damage to the UK economy.

"It has also exposed vast inequalities that exist in our society, with the digital divide and its impact on our nation’s schoolchildren brought into particularly sharp focus. An estimated 1.78m children in the UK have no access to a laptop, desktop or tablet at home, leaving them unable to complete their schoolwork during lockdown, and at risk of long-term damage to their education.

"While there have been attempts from government, charities and the private sector to plug this gap a shortfall remains, and every day that passes is another vital day of learning that children across the country are missing out on.

"AND Digital will be kicking off this campaign with a donation of £1000. We would urge our clients, partners and friends to consider contributing to this cause and help children in our local community get online."

Ben McKenna, of Tech Angels added: "As a sister project of Digital Access West Yorkshire, and firm believers that digital exclusion is a real issue for everyone right now, we think this is a great idea. We’re also pleased that there are so many ways to help digitally excluded people in Leeds. Tech Angels is specifically targeted at helping Children and Young People in our city’s most digitally excluded areas, whereas DAWY includes everyone, so however you want to help there is a way to do it.”

More information about Leeds Tech Angels, including details of secure drop-off points, can be found at tech-angels.netSupport the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe