Computer Aid International appeals to IT departments

Monday, 1 February 2010

London-based IT charity Computer Aid International has launched its 2010 Corporate Partnership Programme and is appealing to IT departments to sign up and make Computer Aid their "charity of choice" this year. By donating unwanted PCs, laptops and monitors to the charity or joining fundraising initiatives, IT professionals can help improve access to ICT in the developing world to help enrich education and advance healthcare in countries such as Zambia, Kenya and Chile.

Companies including Orange, Sainsbury’s, Coca Cola and Virgin choose to donate their unwanted PCs and laptops to Computer Aid, which are professionally refurbished to extend their life by another three to four years for use in schools, hospitals and community projects. The charity guarantees complete data destruction and compliance with all UK legislation, including the WEEE directive, Data Protection Act and Environment Act, while asset tracking ensures organisations know exactly which projects their IT equipment is helping.

Other ways that IT departments can show support for Computer Aid include:

• Project sponsorship – making a charitable donation to support a Computer Aid project, which can be offset against corporation tax. Just £50 gets a PC onto a school desk in Africa which has the potential to give 50 children the opportunity to reach a vocational level of IT literacy
• Overseas expeditions – join Computer Aid for an off the beaten track adventure whilst raising money to support disadvantaged communities. This year, the charity is organising a 300km sponsored cycle ride from London to Paris in May, with a 10 day cycle challenge in Nepal for the more adventurous in November.

“Around five billion people in the world have no access to ICT, but IT skills can provide a long term solution to enabling wealth creation and employment generation. By partnering with Computer Aid in 2010, the IT sector can actively help to equip countries across the world with the hardware, IT training and support that is taken for granted in the UK,” explains Tony Roberts, Founder and CEO of Computer Aid International.

“Many IT departments will undertake an IT refurbishment cycle in 2010 and we urge them to consider donating their unwanted PCs, laptops and monitors, or helping our fundraising efforts. In return, IT departments can assist company CSR programmes, boost their green credentials and motivate their teams, while guaranteeing the environmentally responsible and legally compliant disposal of their IT equipment,” Roberts adds.

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