Asda donates laptops to Elgin High School as part of initiative to tackle digital exclusion
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ASDA has donated 10 laptops to Elgin High School as part of an initiative to help tackle digital exclusion across the United Kingdom.
Elgin Asda's community champion Kaye Macleod arranged the surprise delivery as part of the supermarket's initiative to provide more than 7000 laptops to schools UK-wide.
While children are now returning to classrooms, there is still a need for technology to support school-based activities, homework, learning during school holidays and to help future-proof home learning capabilities.
Asda recently formed a partnership with technology provider Dell to invest more than £2 million to ensure all stores in the UK, including Asda Elgin, could donate at least 10 laptops to a local school.
The Asda store on Edgar Road nominated nearby school Elgin High, with community champion Kaye then arranging for delivery of 10 laptops.
Each laptop comes with a tech bundle that includes a headset and a mobile internet dongle with a data allowance of 20gb from Asda's network partner Vodafone. The dongle with a data allowance has been funded through a £500,000 contribution from the retailer's charity arm, The Asda Foundation. Laptops will also include a one-year warranty and technical support.
Elgin High School will manage the distribution of the laptops to priority pupils, and Asda's in-house IT support team will also provide support to any school that needs help to set up the equipment.
Kaye Macleod said: "I have a really close relationship with Elgin High School and I know what a massive difference this donation is going to make to the school.
"I'm proud that Asda can play a small part in helping break down the digital barriers so children can continue their education remotely both now and in the future."
Hugh Mcculloch, head teacher at Elgin High School, said: "This was such a surprise and we can't thank Asda enough for choosing our school to receive these laptops.
"This donation will go a long way in helping children gain access to the technology and data packages that will help to break down some of the digital barriers that exist."
