A CAMPAIGN to provide disadvantaged school children with laptops and tablets to support home learning is being given firepower thanks to the support of Dorset's firefighters.

Weymouth Fire Station has set up Covid-secure drop-off points for anyone wishing to donate a laptop or tablet.

The campaign comes as communities up and down the country rally to support home learning for children from low-income families after the pandemic closed schools.

Devices can be dropped off at the station, in Radipole Lane, from 6pm-9pm on Mondays. Other stations involved with the initiative are Westbourne Fire Station, in Alumhurst Road, and Poole Fire Station, in Safety Drive.

Station manager Dave Adamson, who is spearheading the scheme, said: "We're very pleased to be able to support such an important initiative by providing local donation points."

The devices are professionally cleaned of all data and refreshed by Green Machine Computers ready to support a child within the local community.

Simon Crisp from Green Machine Computers, said: "We're very pleased that Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service can support and help children get access to tech at home and reduce digital poverty.”

Mr Adamson said: "If you would like to donate some tech to this cause, you can do so to any of the listed stations on Monday evenings between 6-9pm.

"If you do arrive at the same time as someone else, please make sure you make space to keep everyone safe."

Department for Education data shows 2,190 laptops and tablets had been sent to Dorset County Council or its maintained schools as of January 17.

That was more than treble the 707 reported on January 12.

The figures do not include those allocated to academy trusts, as they are not maintained by the local authority.

The devices handed out this academic year are in addition to the 1,141 laptops and tablets which were provided for care leavers, pupils with social workers and Year 10 pupils during the 2020 summer term.

Across England, around 1 million laptops and tablets have so far been distributed for disadvantaged young people during the pandemic by the Government.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson says that figure will rise to 1.3m with a further 300,000 devices.

Children are classed as disadvantaged if they have no digital devices or are sharing a single device in their household, or they only have access to a smartphone.

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