Wokingham Lions Club is on the lookout for laptops as part of its initiative to help those struggling with the ‘digital divide’.
Two years ago, in association with First Days Children’s Charity, Share Wokingham and Wokingham borough libraries, the group launched a laptop recycling programme supporting local families in need, Ukrainian refugees, charities, schools and local non-profit organisations.
Called ReTec (Recycling Technology), Wokingham Lions Club has so far distributed 172 laptops to families, individuals and good causes within Wokingham borough.
Club president Andy Goffin said: “We are aware that there is still a digital divide in our community, with both adults and children being unable to access services and education that could assist them, due to a lack of computer equipment at home.
“With this project, we are helping to address this issue.
“We are very grateful to Share Wokingham and First Days Children’s Charity for their help in identifying where the needs are, and to First Days for making storage room available to us.
“Our thanks also go to Wokingham borough libraries, the Wokingham charity community hub, and Share Wokingham for volunteering as convenient places for laptops to be donated.”
Before redistribution, all laptops are cleaned, refurbished and tested, with hard discs being securely wiped.
It is happy to receive laptops from individuals, organisations and companies to support this cause.
Many laptops will be unable to upgrade to Windows 11 when support for Windows 10 is withdrawn later this year, however the club is still able to use them.
If you are upgrading your own laptop, or the company/organisation you own or work for is replacing theirs, please consider or suggest donating laptops no longer required to Wokingham Lions Club.
It can make use of working laptops that originally came with Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11. MacBooks less than 10 years old can also be donated.
You can drop off any laptops, along with power supplies, mice and/or laptop bags, at the following locations:
-
Wokingham borough libraries: Wokingham, Lower Earley, Woodley, Finchampstead, Twyford, Wargrave or Spencers Wood. Opening times vary, check website for details at www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries.
-
Wokingham charity and community hub: Waterford House, Denmark Street, Mon – Fri, 9am – 5:00pm
-
Share Wokingham: Visit www.sharewokingham.co.uk for details of their sites and when they are open.
For more details on the Wokingham Lions Club ReTec project visit www.wokinghamlions.org.uk/retec.
