A Cambridge business has answered a parent’s appeal to provide much-need IT equipment for Mayfield Primary School.
Resident David Summerfield put out the call after seeing the lack of hardware at the Cambridge school.
Redgate Software answered and have donated 20 laptops, which will allow the school to provide much greater access to technology.
David, who is a member of the school’s PTA, said: “Once I realised the stark lack of IT hardware in my son’s primary school, I posted a request on a couple of local WhatsApp groups. A local resident from Darwin Green connected me to her company, Redgate Software, who kindly donated 20 laptops.
“We all joke about having multiple WhatsApp groups, but when used correctly, they can be a very powerful tool in connecting communities.”
Deputy headteacher Stephen Atkinson said: “We are so grateful for this donation and would like to thank our wonderful PTA and all at Redgate. It will allow us to provide much greater access to technology for all the children at Mayfield.
“At a time of growing costs and reduced funding for schools, it is the amazing generosity of our community that helps us continue to do our best for our pupils.”
A spokesperson for Redgate said: “Redgate has always driven a culture of giving something back, and being a software development company based in Cambridge it fits with our ethos and to donate IT equipment to local schools.
“Schools’ budgets are always tight, yet technology education is so critical for young people. We want to ensure that all people gain equal access to technology, and so we’ve made a conscious effort to get our unneeded IT equipment into the hands of local schools and charitable organisations, helping people to boost their learning and personal development for many years to come. Keeping fully functional IT equipment in use is great for sustainability and environmental impact, but is also filling a real need and helping local organisations.
“We are delighted that Mayfield Primary School will benefit from this donation – and we’d love to see any computer science work the pupils create as they continue their learning.”
If you are part of a company that would like to donate surplus IT hardware, or are from a school that requires more tech equipment, contact David at david4castle@gmail.com.
