As Business in the Community’s Responsible Business of the Year 2019, Boots UK is proudly partnering with the BITC’s National Business Response Network (NBRN), to pilot the charity’s first public Tech Donation Appeal, in its home-town of Nottingham.

Helping to support disadvantaged children, teenagers and families who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the pioneering tech appeal will help collect, repurpose and redistribute working electronic items to those in immediate need.

With half of all households in the UK having at least one unused electronic device, such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone¹, Boots is encouraging everyone to get involved. As well as donating its own obsolete devices, any pre-loved items that are donated by its colleagues and local Nottinghamshire community via Boots collections points will go on to directly impact those living in the East Midlands.

Morag Punton, Head of CSR, Boots UK, said: “Boots is a business that has been grounded in care for over 170 years. As an essential retailer throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been proud to step forward and support the most vulnerable in our communities. We are pleased to partner with the NBRN’s tech donation appeal to help those experiencing the digital divide during this challenging time.” 

Amanda Mackenzie OBE, Chief Executive of Business in the Community, said: “The existing digital divide in the UK has been blown wide open by the pandemic. Despite the best efforts of government, it is businesses which can close this gap and end the isolation increasingly faced by school children, families and the newly redundant; I am proud that Boots and other companies are answering that call through the National Business Response Tech Appeal. By launching this pilot, Boots has shown real vision and set a high bar for response business.”

For anyone looking to donate their pre-loved laptop, tablet or smartphone, visit Boots UK’s tech donation points at Sneinton Market on Saturday 29th August and Saturday 5th September between 2-4pm.

As you look around your home for any unused tech items, make sure you’ve read the following donation guidelines:

• Accepted devices include phones, laptops, Chromebooks, tablets or iPads. Printers cannot be accepted.
• All items must be donated with their charger.
• Each donation may be packaged singularly or with a number of items.
• Before donating your device, please check that it is in a working condition, less than 8 years old, and unlocked.
• Please remove any personal information from the devices; if possible, please carry out a factory reset. Business in the Community, nor the recipient organisation, can take responsibility for any data left on the devices.
• Any donated device that cannot be used (e.g. due to damage) will be recycled responsibly.

 

¹  Source: BBC, August 2019