Stamford Kiwanis, Burghley Park Golf Club, Stamford Bridge Club and BGL Group donate laptops and funds to The Bluecoat School

The community has rallied to help pupils in Stamford with lockdown learning.

At the beginning of lockdown, staff at The Bluecoat School discovered that not every family had access to the necessary equipment for online home-schooling, so appealed to the community for support.

As a result, almost £12,000 and a number laptops were donated to the school in Stamford by businesses, charities and individuals.

Ben Bloor, interim headteacher of The Bluecoat School, said: "I can’t thank everyone enough for their kindness and support, it really will make a difference to the lives of our young people.

“Once lockdown hit, we found that many of our children were having to work on iPads or mobile phones or share devices with siblings or parents who were also working from home.

"A number of children did not have access to any technology as well and we desperately needed to do something about this.

“We are incredibly lucky to have received such generous donations from so many people. "

The Stamford Kiwanis donated £10,000 towards the cause, enabling 47 pupils access to online learning.

Jo Willis, a member of the Stamford Kiwanis, said: “It is amazing that we are able to help so many pupils at this difficult time.

"I only wish we could do more. That’s why the Stamford Kiwanis is launching an appeal to raise even more support from local residents and businesses so please do get in touch with us to find out how you can help.”

A JustGiving page has been set up by the organisation to raise money for other schools in the area, which are in need of more electronic devices while pupils are learning from home.

The Bluecoat School - part of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT) -also received donations from Burghley Park Golf Club, Stamford Bridge Club and BGL Group in Peterborough as well as a number of individuals, which means a further 10 families are supported throughout lockdown.

“We aren’t the only school in need," said Mr Bloor.

"If anyone has any further equipment to donate, please do get in touch with your local primary school and extend the hand of kindness back into the community.”

Stamford Welland Academy - which is also part of the CMAT - received a donation of laptops from Reachable, that were then refurbished by the school's IT department.

To donate to Stamford Kiwanis' laptop appeal, visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/Stamford-Kiwanis-Laptops-for-schools.