We have donated 200 laptops to the local organisations across the city to help bridge the digital gap in our communities.
Working with BornGood, the donation will help more young people and adults across Sunderland to access digital learning, employability support and community programmes.
The laptops have been donated to local organisations, such as Foundation of Light, Seaburn Dene Primary School, Together for Children, Recruitment Junction and Fatfield Academy.
The partnership ensures that technology, which may no longer be fit for our specific purpose, is instead repurposed to help residents develop new skills, improve wellbeing, and unlock opportunities.
Paul Brockbanks, IT Director at Gentoo said:
“We have partnered with BornGood as we wanted our older technology to be repurposed in our communities so we could help people who might not have easy access to technology.
“The initiative is about empowering people in our communities and reducing digital inequality. When local organisations come together like this, we can make a real difference for our community.”
Each device has been donated by Gentoo, professionally data-wiped, refurbished, and certified to meet the highest standards of environmental sustainability and data security.
Simon Burdus, Social Impact and Growth Manager at BornGood CIC, said:
“This partnership highlights the power of local organisations working together to unite sustainability with social value. Every laptop diverted from landfill becomes a tool for learning, connection, and opportunity. Each organisation involved plays a vital role in making that transformation possible.”
One of the organisations, who is benefitting from the donation, Kimberley Richardson, Director of Education for Together for Children said: “Access to a reliable device should never be a barrier to a young person’s progress. This donation has meant that 50 cared for and care experienced young people now have their very own laptops. We are very grateful to Gentoo for their generous donation and the skills of Born Good who were able to turn equipment that would previously have gone to waste into practical support for our young people. It’s great to see organisations like this coming together to make a practical difference for young people in Sunderland.
“This donation also helps remove potential digital exclusion and enables our young people to carry out every day online tasks; from completing job and apprenticeship applications, keeping up with college work, staying connected with friends and family to arranging repairs at home and doing essential shopping. When corporate technology is used in the right way, it doesn’t just bridge digital gaps, it creates opportunities. This support is helping our young people take confident next steps into adulthood, and we’re truly thankful for the collaboration that has made it possible.”
Claire Wilson, Chief Commercial and Fundraising Officer at the Foundation of Light, said:
“Access to technology is essential for education and employability, and we are delighted to receive this donation. These laptops will help us expand our digital learning programmes and give more people the tools they need to reach their potential.”
The initiative supports one of our main priorities, to help end child poverty in the city. It also supports the ambitions set out in Sunderland’s City Plan 2025–2035 and the North East Combined Authority’s Local Growth Plan, promoting digital inclusion, circular economy principles, and greener, fairer growth across the region.
