Moray charity ReBOOT receives King's Award for Voluntary Service
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A MORAY charity has received The King's Award for Voluntary Service - the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
ReBOOT, based in Forres, donates refurbished computers and equipment to charitable causes and disadvantaged individuals.
Set up in 1997, the team refurbishes and recycles IT hardware it collects from businesses and households all across the north.
It was the first project of its kind in the north of Scotland to deal with such a broad range of computer hardware including laptops and desktop computers, games consoles, printers, tablets, and monitors.
Kit that cannot be revamped is dismantled by volunteers, and the precious metals and rare earth minerals are extracted for use in new IT equipment, which reduces the need for environmentally-harmful extraction from the earth.
In 2008, the charity expanded to open a shop where staff and volunteers sell low-cost equipment to the public and carry out IT repairs, only charging a fee if the item can be fixed.
The firm has since partnered with Moray Council and the University of the Highlands and Islands to offer work experience to school and college pupils all while continuing its ongoing work with the Criminal Justice Service.
Lee McGrath, ReBOOT manager, said: “We are genuinely honoured to receive this award.
"Since starting as a pilot project, our volunteer team has totalled an average of 182,000 hours and handled over 2,200 tonnes of redundant computer equipment.
"Heartfelt thanks go out to all those amazing people who have offered their time to us over the years.”
Seymour Monro, Lord-Lieutenant of Moray, added: “It’s fantastic news that an environmental organisation is the recipient of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2023, as we know His Majesty is a keen environmentalist.
“I’m delighted to congratulate all the staff and volunteers, past and present, at ReBOOT on achieving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
"They are truly remarkable and they deserve this award.
"This is an amazing achievement and reflects the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of many people over the 26 years of this organisation.”
