A local Labour Councillor has said he is ‘gobsmacked’ by the level of support received for the Lockdown Laptop appeal, as the roll out of reconditioned laptops continues to reach children across North East Somerset and Bath.

Since the end of January, two local activists have been collecting donations of unused and older laptops that were destined to become e-waste. Councillor Grant Johnson said: “I have spent several weekends driving to all different parts of North East Somerset and Bath collecting laptops from residents. I’ve been gobsmacked by the level of generosity that residents have shown to this appeal and it just goes to show that where there is a will there’s a way!”

He added: “What’s been amazing is that I’ve lived here my entire life, and yet I was going to places I’d never been to before!”

Once donations were collected, they were then dropped off to Richard Stelling, who was the IT brains behind the appeal. He wiped each laptop clean and set them all up as ChromeBooks, which was considered the most user friendly.

Richard said: “I managed to set up a little factory production line in my house to get through all the donations we received and even roped my son in to help. It’s taken several weeks, but we have managed to get through the majority of the donations and I’m so pleased that children can benefit from these re-purposed devices. We have even come up with a new slogan of ‘Learning through recycling’, which seemed very apt.”

The appeal has seen laptops reaching those that need it most through a variety of avenues, with schools and charities all getting in touch. Councillor Johnson explained that there has been an increase in interest since school children returned to the classroom and had to return the equipment that had been lent to them. He said: The response I have been getting as I distribute them has been fantastic, and it just goes to show what these donations mean.”

Due to the level of support from the public, the appeal has suspended collecting further donations while they get on top of the ones already received. Cllr Johnson said: “We’ve been truly humbled by the level of support, but there is only so much time in a week and our little two-man team will need a break once we have finished distributing our current stock.

“There are still laptops available and I have been reaching out regularly to schools in the area to make them aware of the scheme.”

He concluded: “What’s incredible about this scheme is that it’s stopping a lot of these laptops eventually ending up in landfill as e-waste. We are giving it a new lease of life and more importantly, a very grateful home.”

If you want to get in contact with the Lockdown laptops team, then contact them via email: [email protected]