Cranswick donates 1,150 laptops to east Hull children

DONATION: Hull East MP Karl Turner, far right, and city council leader Steve Brady, centre, with the Cranswick team

Food producer Cranswick has donated 1,150 new laptops to primary school children in east Hull to help their education.

Cranswick has been working with Hull East MP Karl Turner and Hull City Council to understand the number of children without access to a laptop.

Data provided to the city council from the academy trusts across Hull revealed around a third of pupils over the age of seven fell into this category.

Adam Couch, Chief Executive Officer at Cranswick, said: “We have been working to support the local community throughout the pandemic; providing sandwiches to the NHS, food parcels to those vulnerable in the city and continuing to support local charities such as EMS and Hull 4 Heroes. 

“When we heard about the significant shortfall in the number of laptops available for local children, we wanted to help. Education is vital to ensuring the growth and development of the next generation and it is proven that learning in the early years can dramatically shape the progress of a child.

“As one of the city’s largest employers it is imperative that we support families in the area, ensuring they have access to these devices.  We have worked with Hull City Council to understand where a provision could make the most impact and make a real difference to combat the digital divide.

“The last year has been unspeakably challenging for so many families and circumstances can be made even harder when children do not have the technology at hand to assist with their learning.

“This will help to have a positive immediate impact for the children and families of those who will benefit from the laptops, and this need continues as children return to school.”

The laptops will be used for both home and school learning.

Mr Turner said: “Too many children have missed out on vital learning because there isn’t an adequate device or internet to connect it to at home.

“Despite the heroic efforts of teachers and school staff, this pandemic has shone a light on the real hardship many families face, with less privileged kids suffering the most being out of school.

“This generous donation will allow those children not only to access remote lessons but to have the best possible chance of catching up and fulfilling their potential when schools go back too.”

Susan Brummitt, Executive Headteacher at Gillshill and Cavendish primary schools, in east Hull, said: “These laptops will be an essential learning tool for many pupils in east Hull, who simply do not have access to devices which are used more and more in schools.

“They won’t just be used learning from home but in the classroom too, as technology plays an ever-growing part in our day-to-day learning environment.

“I want to pass on my heartfelt thanks to Karl, Cranswick and Hull City Council for all the work they have done to secure these devices.”