Lancaster store donates 2,000 packs of stationery to help home schooling for disadvantaged kids

Wilko team members in Lancaster are supporting a campaign that aims to support the home schooling of vulnerable and disadvantaged children during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Wilko in Lancaster. Photo: Google Street ViewWilko in Lancaster. Photo: Google Street View
Wilko in Lancaster. Photo: Google Street View

The Connecting Kids initiative was launched by Lancaster University to help children from vulnerable backgrounds have access to the materials they need in order to homeschool and complete homework whilst schools and colleges are closed because of the risk of coronavirus.

Wilko Lancaster has donated 2,000 packs of stationery including crayons, colouring pencils and felt tips to the project, which sees Lancaster University work in partnership alongside Lancaster City Council, local schools, Lancaster and Morecambe College, the Eden Project and the Northern Powerhouse.

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Low income and vulnerable families may especially struggling with the costs of educating their children at home during the lockdown and many won’t have broadband to facilitate digital learning because of the costs of internet.

Staff with some of the donated goods.Staff with some of the donated goods.
Staff with some of the donated goods.

In addition, where there is internet, there may not be other materials needed to complete classes, meaning already disadvantaged children run the risk of falling further behind their peers while schools are closed.

The campaign aims to reduce inequality around learning at home by helping these families access the materials and services they need. Wilko’s donation will be distributed via the Free School Meals Distribution Route to help with lessons at home.

Jerome Saint-Marc, Wilko CEO, said: “We know that this crisis is sadly hitting some of the most vulnerable members of our community, particularly children, the hardest. Our Lancaster team have done a fantastic job of supporting a cause that supports local families in need and we hope this gesture helps a little in these tricky times.

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“We’re incredibly proud of and thankful to our team members across the entire business who have done a phenomenal job in ensuring hardworking families have access to the products they need and we appreciate the extra mile they’re going to support local causes and communities throughout the UK.”

Staff with some of the donated goods.Staff with some of the donated goods.
Staff with some of the donated goods.

These donations via the Lancaster team are one of many projects wilko is undertaking to support communities during the Covid-19 crisis. Other activities include launching a £125,000 community fund, donating thousands of products to families in need and NHS staff and enabling members of its Worksop support centre staff to volunteer for a helpline for elderly people who may feel isolated.

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