The Rotary Club of Sidmouth has donated £1,000 to both Sidmouth Primary School and Sidmouth College to help towards their ongoing appeals for laptops.
As soon as the latest lockdown was announced, the schools conducted surveys to understand the computer facilities available for pupils to use for home learning.
Both schools recognised that, despite support from government schemes, there would be a shortage of suitable computers available for loan to pupils so that lessons could continue from home.
Immediately, appeals were launched asking members of the community for help. When news of the appeals reached the Rotary Club of Sidmouth the members voted on supporting both schools with a cash donation each, which would help them to purchase a number of new computers.
John Summerside, club president, commented that the “regular fundraising by Rotary enables them to step in and help when and wherever support was required in the town.”
On receiving the cheque Mrs Clare Fegan, head of Sidmouth Primary, said: “It has been incredible to have felt so supported by the local community at such a difficult time. We are really grateful to the Rotary Club for such a generous donation, which will make a very real difference to our families providing learning at home.”
Mrs Sarah Parsons, principal of Sidmouth College, added: “I would like to thank Sidmouth Rotary Club for the very generous donation that they have gifted to the college. I am overwhelmed by the kindness that has been shown at this time. The college is working hard to ensure that our students benefit from the donation and are providing devices to students which will enable them to access our remote education offer.
“The young people of Sidmouth are very fortunate to live in a community who are supporting their education, on behalf of them I thank you.
“During this period of college closure, we have increased the number of live lessons that are being delivered remotely and therefore the need to access IT is greater than ever”.
Both school appeals remain open as further laptops are required so all pupils can be educated at home.
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