It doesn’t need us to say that we are all living in rather exceptional times. Recently LAMM was approached by a local school, via a governor, to give help to some of the pupils.
The Government has an initiative whereby Secondary Years pupils can apply for a laptop to work from home and maintain some connection to their education. However, there is very limited provision for Primary Years children.
There are many children in the local area, and nationally, below year 7 who are being left behind in these times. We have started an initiative to collect unwanted digital devices (Laptops and Tablets) that have the ability to connect these children to their schools. We have gained the support of a number of people.
In the past few days the initiative has started to take hold and Kay (a director at LAMM) will be appearing on the local Heart radio. Local businesses and Erica Lewis (leader of the Council) has given vocal support to our efforts.
We have a drop off point at the Gatehouse in White Cross (White Cross Industrial Estate, South Road, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ) and we can also do a doorstep collection of your device if that is required (especially for those of you who are vulnerable or shielding. Please note we can only pick up from LA1, LA2, LA3, LA4, LA5, LA6 areas.
We are taking any machines that can be made to use a modern browser which is the requirement needed to run the software that connects children to their teachers. We will even take machines that need some repair as we have a growing number of parts and members willing to volunteer their time. Note that because we are volunteers we may take slightly longer than expected to respond to any communication.
All machines will have their data wiped using a secure wiping program before the system has a new operating system installed ensuring your data is safe. If you can donate then please do so. We are also interested in any parts such as RAM, hard drives and essentially laptop chargers. These can help revitalise an old machine by adding more physical memory of a bigger/faster disk and by having a safe power supply.
The first of the laptops are being prepared this week for delivery to school next week. Please note that we are not taking desktop machines at this time as they are too cumbersome and need a separate devices to be functional.
If you can donate please fill out the form here. We will keep any information you submit safe and will ensure any personal details are only used by directors or those tasked with collecting machines. All personal data will be deleted after the minimum legal period required by a business to hold data or on request.
Thank you for your time.
Hi, I have definitely 1 laptop, maybe 2 that you can have. I am shielding so they would need collecting. I live in Heysham.
Hi
We have 2 iPads to donate which we no longer use but due to our ages are avoiding travelling as much as we can at present.
We live in Bare, Morecambe.
Look forward to hearing from you.
J Yates
Are you able to collect from Ingol in Preston?
Sorry, we cannot collect from the Preston area.
Can you collect from Bare as I am clinically vulnerable? We have 2 laptops we have not used for over 12months – both windows 7.
It would be nice to get confirmation where they end up. š
Please click the ādonate digitalā on our main page and fill in the form to make a donation.
do the laptops need to be on a certain operating system or above?
Hi. If they run at least Windows 7 then they make a good donation!
Is it possible to make cash donations please?
Hi. We are not handling any cash donations but please email board@lamm.space and we can pass your details on to another local initiative.
Can you collect from Grange over Sands? One laptop
Sam
Hi. Sorry, that is outside our pickup area.
I have 3 laptops which have a light which comes on but don’t power up. I would love to donate them if you have the skills to bring them back to life.
Hi, if they ran Windows 7 or later then we can make use of them. Please fill in the ādonate digitalā form from the button on the main page, thanks!
I have a laptop that l donāt use but l know my password and the computer is working. I filled in the form yesterday but how do you know which is my computer if l put it in your box and how secure is it if l give you my password.
Please email board@lamm.space for more information about how we protect your data.
I have a working Acer Aspire 3692WIMi which I have not used for along time. I do have the charger.
Is this of any use and do you pick up in Kendal ?
Hi, Kendal is out of our local pickup area. Thank you for your enquiry.
Dear Kay,
I have a Samsung Tab 2 10.1 (GT-P5110) running android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Would this be any use or are you looking for Windows based systems only ??
I live in Holme LA6
Keep up the good work
Kind regards
Ian
Hi Ian,
I believe there is a computer shop in Burton in Kendal which would be a closer drop-off point for your donation.
Ahh thanks Kay will look into that. (I could post though as another option , would that be ok?)
All the best
Kind regards
Ian
Hi Iam, it probably isn’t worth sending as we have found that Galaxy Tab 2 devices are unable to update to a safer newer version of android in line with what schools are needing. Thanks!
Hi Kay,
Thanks for the great work that you are doing. I live in Ormskirk which is way out of your catchment area. Do you know of any other organisation receiving Laptop, desktop, or printer donations in my area?
Thanks
Andy
HI Andy. Try https://therestartproject.org/where-to-donate-your-computer/ to find local projects
Are you accepting Acer Aspire 3692 WLMi for Windows xp
Hi Sue, I’m afraid that we cannot help with your device as it is too old to run a safe version of Windows 10. Thanks.
Hi.I live in the Isle of Man and have a small laptop/netbook to donate.
Can I post it to you.
Hi Jim,
I would suggest first of all seeing if it can be put to use closer to home. I know you don’t have a Manx lockdown now but it may reoccur before this pandemic is over. Perhaps contact your local schools??
best wishes,