Sheffield-based data software company makes £5,000 donation towards laptop campaign

3Squared - which supplies consultancy and technology solutions across the rail industry - has donated a total of £5,000 to the Laptops for Kids campaign, which was launched by The Star, WANdisco and Learn Sheffield.

The donation will go towards helping close the ‘digital divide’ amongst young people in Sheffield who are currently seeing their education suffer as a result of not having access to a device or the Internet to learn from home.

Tim Jones, co-founder and managing director at 3Squared, said: “Children having access to devices at home for distanced based learning is a national problem. With nearly one in 10 households without access to a laptop, tablet or PC, many of our children are missing out on vital education. It’s great to see companies within the Sheffield City Region stepping up to address this issue locally.

“Having young children myself, and with many of our employees with young families, this is an issue close to our hearts. I’d urge other companies in the region to get involved and donate devices or money to support this worthy cause. Together we can make an impact and ensure that the children of our region don’t get left behind.”

3Squared is just one of many Sheffield businesses who has shown support for the Laptops for Kids campaign since its launch in September 2020.

David Richards, founder and CEO of WANdisco, said: “Many thanks to 3Squared for its generous donation to the Laptops for Kids campaign. We urge successful companies to come forward and help us close the digital divide. Young people must not be denied their right to education during the pandemic.”

After the announcement of the latest lockdown, it was revealed that up to 5,000 secondary-age and post-16 students in Sheffield are still unable to access online learning.

The Laptops for Kids campaign has helped to provide devices for the young people of Sheffield where the Government has failed to deliver what was promised.

For more information or to make a donation, visit: www.LTFK.co.uk

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.