Primary school pupils in Eden are among the first to benefit from a £30,000 donation to help with home schooling.
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Cumberland & Westmorland, who raised the cash to fund the project, which has resulted in 115 laptops for youngsters who may not otherwise have access.
Ken Archer sought funding from the Worthy Causes Committee of the Mark Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund and the Provincial Mark Benevolent Fund.
The first batch of 52 laptops were delivered last week to a distribution hub based at Beacon Hill Community School in Aspatria by the Provincial Grand Master Keith Hodgson, with his Deputy Provincial Grand Master Barry Kirkbride, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Douglas Sanderson and the Provincial Almoner Ken Archer.
Some of the laptops are now already in use at Skelton School near Penrith, Patterdale Primary School, and Clifton Primary School, near Penrith.
Writing to Worshipful Brother Archer, Judith Schafer, chair of the Cumbria Alliance of System Leaders and executive headteacher of Solway and Beacon Hill schools, said: “We sent the first lot largely to Eden which is where the need was greatest; next lot we are intending to go to the most needy families in the South Lakes and Allerdale areas, so some will go to Kendal and Windermere.
“The south has been more lucky in receiving local donations – I know you know the need is across the whole county.
“Schools are very, very, grateful for your support. Thanks again on behalf of all my colleagues.”
The remaining laptops will be delivered once they have the appropriate software installed.
The laptops have also had affixed to them the logos of the Mark Benevolent Fund, and a Keystone with Provincial presentation details.
The laptops will be donated to schools across the organisation’s province, which covers the Scottish border to Milnthorpe and Millom in the south, and from Alston, Kirkby Stephen and Kirkby Lonsdale in the east and over to the west coast.
