An appeal for old electronic devices to enable youngsters to learn and stay connected has borne fruit.

Since Training Highway put out its call last week, dozens of of laptops and tablets have been donated, and two bundles have now been bestowed upon schools in the Sandwich area.

Desktops, laptops, tablets, iPads and smartphones are all accepted and Dan Friend of the Sandwich not for profit organisation said: "We still have demand for more so if you are able to donate, please do."

Training Highway's usual focus is teaching the over 50s to use smart devices through workshops in the community.

When Mr Friend - a town councillor and governor at two schools - heard disadvantaged children were hitting remote learning stumbling blocks, he reached out to members to help on social media.

He added: "We had a fantastic response."

Of the 25 devices given, 13 have been handed to schools. A further 10 are being prepared for more pupils, by having their memories wiped and getting Windows installed.

"Remote Learning is complicated enough without the prospect of being left behind through circumstances outside of their control..."

The remainder can only be used for parts, which are still helpful.

Mr Friend said: "As we hit National Lockdown 3, we have been inspired by initiatives to help those pupils who are sharing phones and devices at home while learning in lockdown, or they don’t have access to technology at all.

"At Highway, we are asking whether our members have any old devices laying around that may be of use to students without access to the appropriate technology and trying to learn from home in these difficult circumstances.

"Remote Learning is complicated enough without the prospect of being left behind through circumstances outside of their control."

Training Highway is working with local authorities to identify people in need of this support.

Financial donations are being used to purchase equipment to distribute. Cheques can be made payable to Training Highway and sent to PO Box 201, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 3AS

You can contact the organisers on 01227 637262 to discuss further, or drop your old devices to Training Highway, Sandwich Industrial Estate, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich. CT13 9LY.

They are located upstairs at the Minters of Deal building.

Alternatively contact support@hilas.org.uk

Read more: All the latest news from Sandwich