Brentford people will be able to donate laptops for digitally excluded schoolchildren who are learning from home.

A drop-off point will be open at St Paul's Church on Saturday (February 20) between 1pm and 3pm.

The scheme is being led by Chiswick councillor Ron Mushiso and former Brentford Mutual Aid Group organiser Jack Emsley following similar initiatives in Richmond and Chiswick.

It is part of a wider drive to collect laptops and tablet devices for schoolchildren which includes Richmond Rugby Club and Veritas Digital Services, who have already

provided dozens of newly refurbished laptops to Brentford School for Girls.

Laptops and tablet donations will be professionally wiped clean and reloaded with updated software thanks to Veritas Digital Services before being donated to local schools for

distribution to children throughout the community.

"Last month, 700 children in Hounslow were unable to independently access online learning," said organiser Jack Emsley.

"The community in Chiswick has already been kind

enough to donate hundreds of spare devices to help bridge the digital gap, but there are still hundreds of schoolchildren in need.

"The generosity of the community in Brentford last year for our mutual aid donations was incredible, and I know that we'll be able to step up to the challenge once again on Saturday to help the digitally excluded in our borough."

For those who don't possess an old device but would like to support the cause, Richmond Rugby Club are accepting donations here to cover the cost of processing and refurnishing the devices.

"Our donations drive in Chiswick has already helped to supply hundreds of digitally excluded pupils with the devices they need to continue with home schooling," said fellow organiser, Chiswick councillor and local teacher Ron Mushiso.

"Being able to help the remaining digitally excluded pupils in our borough with a device of their own could make such a difference during this pandemic and beyond.

"This is a great opportunity for the local community in Brentford to once again come together and support those most in need."

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