Chichester grandmother needs help from community to provide laptops to schoolchildren in lockdown

With the help of her local church, Margaret Phillips, 80, wants to help less fortunate children, who do not have the devices required for them to be able to access their online learning platforms.

Margaret said: "I saw on the news that the children didn't have laptops. There are large families with one laptop between four, five, six [children].

"I thought we've got to do something about that.

"A lot of families don't have the money, why should they be disadvantaged? It doesn't seem fair."

Margaret has devoted much of her life to helping other people as a nurse and has continued throughout her retirement, raising money for a number of local charities and individuals.

She added: "The government are giving out laptops but I am not sure they are going to be able to give out more than one to each family.

"We have a family of six at the church [St Paul's]. They can't use one laptop between primary and secondary schools.

"I realised these children weren't going to get what they needed.

"We need them now, not next month. I hope it works."

Father Simon Holland, reverend canon, said St Paul's Church is 'very keen to support this initiative' and has offered the use of its hub.

He said: "We are encouraging people to make a monetary donation to help purchase either a laptop, chrome book or tablet suitable for the local children of Chichester to utilise during this lockdown.

"We encourage everyone who can help, individuals, businesses and indeed our local electronics shops and superstores to help by donating as much as you can now so we can quickly get these children what they need to continue learning while they are at home."

You can contact Margaret on 07787 771615 or email [email protected] for more information on how to help.

Click here to make a donation

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