Yorkshire regulatory affairs consultancy donates 24 laptops to pupils in need

Huddersfield-based Woodley BioReg has donated 24 laptops to schoolchildren who do not have access to a computer at home so that they can learn remotely during the pandemic.

The drive to tackle the digital divide, started by Anthony Hall, managing director of Marsden-based computer support firm, A&A PC Services Ltd, will see the machines refurbished and sanitised before being assigned to schools and children by Co-operative Care Colne Valley, a social care not-for-profit.

Dr Ash Ramzan, founder of Woodley BioReg – a consultancy that offers regulatory, quality, and project management services to the healthcare industry – commented: “When we first heard of the undertaking that Anthony had started, to provide computer access to children who were struggling to learn from home, we had to get involved.

“We had these machines that we didn’t need at WBR headquarters, so we are delighted to be able to offer them to pupils to support their learning.

“This year, we’ll be fundraising for various causes in the community, so it’s wonderful that we can start these efforts with promoting education in this way.”

Anthony Hall, managing director of A&A PC Services, commented: “We are grateful to Woodley BioReg for donating its unused computers to this drive, so that we can make sure that as many children as possible have access to learning during lockdown.

“So far we’ve processed 50 machines, with 27 distributed to pupils within the Colne Valley area, and we are still receiving donations from individuals and businesses to offer up their unused machines to help us further reduce education inequality during this difficult period.”

The donation by Woodley BioReg kicks off a year-long celebration of the firm’s 21st anniversary, which will include 21 activities centred around giving back to the community.