52 new laptops donated to Sheffield schools to help kids learn through lockdown

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Serial philanthropist Alison Ralston approached several schools in January and laptops and wifi dongles have been donated to Arbourthorne Community Primary School and Wybourn Community Primary School.

They were bought with cash raised by a Sheffield firm she advises, YesTax, which donates 2.5 per cent of sales to charity.

Alison said she encouraged by the Laptops For Kids campaign by The Star, Learn Sheffield and WANdisco.

Alison Ralston with Sheffield craft and food hampers.

She added: “We approached a number of schools who told us many kids were desperate for laptops, which the Star and and WANdisco have done a great job highlighting.

"I was also horrified to hear how long families promised Government food vouchers had to wait for them, and the poor quality of many food hampers.

"So we've donated laptops, food and craft parcels, and even beds to families in the city. By giving 2.5 per cent of turnover, YesTax enables kids to do their schoolwork, get online, eat well, and sleep at night. Seeing how we can improve children’s lives is my proudest achievement in business."

Alison built a multi-million pound company from scratch, tax consultancy HowarthLynch, which she sold five years ago.

Arbourthorne Community Primary School has had laptops.

Now she advises YesTax which has raised £85,000 for Sheffield children and a safe house for sexually abused children in Nepal over the last 18 months.

"I’ve supported a charity in Nepal for several years since selling my first business," Alison adds, "and we will continue funding safe homes for vulnerable children there.

"But the pandemic has hit Sheffield children hard.”