Brighton Albion to provide laptops for children in lockdown

The football club has pledged £25,000 through its Albion As One fund to pay for computers so pupils can log on for lessons, with additional support from the club's IT supplier Focus Group.

The club's official charity, Albion in the Community (AITC), is already supporting schools and will manage the roll-out of the equipment, working in areas where it is most needed.

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Club captain Lewis Dunk said: "When we set up the fund last spring, this was exactly the sort of help we wanted to give – to those local people who have supported the club to help it achieve everything it has in recent years.

Lewis Dunk in action for Brighton and Hove Albion

"We have a very close bond with the local community. As someone who went to school in Brighton and Hove I know all too well how brilliant our local schools are, and just how hard the teachers work to achieve that.

"Home schooling my own children during lockdown was a real eye opener and it made many of us realise the amazing work we all benefit from, so it is great we can help in this small way to ensure local children can continue their education during these difficult times."

Laptops will be donated directly to schools, to ensure they are passed to the families most in need.

AITC is also assisting schools with worker support and a range of virtual learning tools, including live lessons and webinars for children.

Mark Barkaway at AITC said: “Not all pupils have regular or any access to a computer or laptop. This lack of access to digital technology is creating inequalities among our schoolchildren.

Albion's young players using laptops at the club's academy before Covid-19. Photo: Paul Hazlewood.

"With some residual funds left from Albion As One and thanks to support from the Focus Group, there is enough to supply more than 100 laptops to schools in Brighton and Hove and help those families currently unable to engage their children effectively in remote home learning."

Mr Barkaway added the additional laptops will ease pressure on schools, as currently children without access to sufficient technology at home can attend school.

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He said: “By providing laptops to families, we can help ease the pressure on schools and enable more children to effectively learn from home in a remote and safe way.

"This is part of our wider package of support for schools and families during lockdown.

"We've also been delivering PE and sport activity sessions and football-themed small group interventions in literacy, maths and PHSE for key worker children."