Primary school children in Cumbria will receive 115 laptops donated by members of the Freemasons.
The computers have been donated by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Cumberland & Westmorland, who raised £30,000 to fund the project.
Ken Archer sought funding from the Worthy Causes Committee of the Mark Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund and the Provincial Mark Benevolent Fund.
With this money, 115 laptops have now been purchased for the benefit of primary education within the province, which covers the Scottish border to Milnthorpe and Millom in the south, and from Alston, Kirkby Stephen and Kirkby Lonsdale in the east and over to the west coast.
The distribution of the laptops will be done by the education authority and the laptops will be delivered to schools with the greatest need due to size or social deprivation.
The first batch of 52 laptops were delivered last week to a distribution hub based at Beacon Hill Community School in Aspatria by the Provincial Grand Master Keith Hodgson, with his Deputy Provincial Grand Master Barry Kirkbride, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Douglas Sanderson and the Provincial Almoner Ken Archer.
Some of the laptops are now already in use at Skelton School near Penrith, Patterdale Primary School, and Clifton Primary School, near Penrith.
Writing to Worshipful Brother Archer, Judith Schafer, chair of the Cumbria Alliance of System Leaders and executive headteacher of Solway and Beacon Hill schools, said: “We sent the first lot largely to Eden which is where the need was greatest; next lot we are intending to go to the most needy families in the South Lakes and Allerdale areas, so some will go to Kendal and Windermere.
“The south has been more lucky in receiving local donations – I know you know the need is across the whole county.
“Schools are very, very, grateful for your support. Thanks again on behalf of all my colleagues.”
The remaining laptops will be delivered once they have the appropriate software installed.
The laptops have also had affixed to them the logos of the Mark Benevolent Fund, and a Keystone with Provincial presentation details.
