Computer shop transforms 400 old laptops for Pudsey school children to access the internet

More than 400 Pudsey schoolchildren will be able to access the internet from home after a local computer shop transformed hundreds of laptops donated by the public.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Pudsey residents have rallied behind the cause and donated an array of old laptops and devices which would otherwise not have been usable to Pudsey Computers.

> Chow Down Leeds set to return with 'biggest ever lineup'More than 400 devices have now been donated and transformed, it was announced as the scheme comes to an end.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Residents used a drop off point at the front of the store and adhered to all coronavirus restrictions - even offering to taxi devices from residents' homes.

Pudsey residents have rallied behind the cause and donated an array of old laptops and devices which would otherwise not have been usable to Pudsey Computers.Pudsey residents have rallied behind the cause and donated an array of old laptops and devices which would otherwise not have been usable to Pudsey Computers.
Pudsey residents have rallied behind the cause and donated an array of old laptops and devices which would otherwise not have been usable to Pudsey Computers.

The schools are set to be given ownership of the devices before passing them on to students in need.

> Woman kicked in ribs and face trying to protect pet from attempted dog napping incident in West Yorkshire parkSpeaking during the launch of the Scheme, Steven said: "I got a call from Simon [local councillor] late on Monday night.

"He said he had a budget, he needed to get devices to students hands and what should he do.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I told him if I could get devices which could operate Windows Vista or above, I was able to sort it."

Steven added: "We install a software which in essence turns the old laptop into a chromebook style device.

"It runs really light and is much quicker than Windows for basic requirements."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The initiative has allowed the staff at the shop to remain working without using the furlough scheme.

Steven said he may even have to take on extra staff to deal with the sheer number of donations from the generous community.

He said: "All of the laptops have been donated from local residents.

"We make sure it is wiped and they can even keep their hard drive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We then put them in a fresh box with a charger for the students after doing checks that everything is working."

Steven told the Yorkshire Evening Post that some parents had even called the shop - desperate to get their hands on a device to enable their children to work.

He added: "It is not just deprived families, the government are asking for everyone in the household to all have access at the same time.

"Most families do not have that.

"To immediately ask those families to have this is hard.

"There is a huge need for [the initiative]. "

Some of the kit donated was unusable but it was agreed that this could be sold to cover the costs of the project and any excess used elsewhere.

Local councillors have been able to purchase 10 large screen tablets with the sale of these good and these will be donated to MHA Communities Pudsey (Formerly known as Pudsey Live at Home).

Related topics: