Hymers' students dial in to Great British Tech Appeal, recycling old mobiles to boost access to digital learning

ENTERPRISING students at Hymers College have been out and about this week collecting old mobile phones to recycle for children who would not otherwise have access to digital learning as part of the Great British Tech Appeal.

So far they have collected about 25 devices, but are appealing for more unwanted mobiles or tablets to be donated. There will be a drop-off box at the College’s Sports Centre entrance next week which can be accessed from the East car park..

The idea to get involved in this initiative came from Sixth Form student Isabella Penna, who explained: "It occurred to me how lucky we are, even just having the means to access such thorough teaching online, and an initiative caught my eye which I think could benefit a lot of young people across the UK." 

Denis Thompson, Director of Co-curricular Activities from Hymers College, said: “Isabella wrote to the Headmaster, Mr Stanley, and we thought it would be a great opportunity to contribute positively to the wider community and other students in the UK. Isabella checked the legality of the exercise and researched how this could be done safely under Covid-19 restrictions. 

“She then wrote to our senior students looking for volunteers to man pickup points around the area, so that people could drop off devices that were no longer needed. Twelve students quickly signed up to man the collection points. She then sent out a letter to all students, staff and parents asking them to donate devices that they no longer needed. 

Mr Thompson added: “One the primary aims for us as a school is to be fully integrated into the city of Hull and the local area and to remain true to our charitable objectives and the purpose of our founder, the Rev John Hymers. 

“We are always seeking to promote the value of service within our own school community; and to the wider community. We have worked hard to instill these values by providing opportunities every year for our students to be engaged in volunteering and fundraising activities with other local schools, the council and with other charities in the city and the region.

The idea to get involved in this initiative really came from one of our Sixth Form students, Isabella Penna: "It occurred to me the other day quite how lucky we are, even just having the means to access such thorough teaching online, and an initiative caught my eye which I think could benefit a lot of young people across the UK." 

Isabella wrote to the Headmaster, Mr Stanley, and we thought it would be a great opportunity to contribute positively to the wider community and other students in the UK. Isabella checked the legality of the exercise and researched how this could be done safely under Covid-19 restrictions. She then wrote to our senior students looking for volunteers to man pickup points around the area, so that people could drop off devices that were no longer needed. Twelve students quickly signed up to man the collection points. She then sent out a letter to all students, staff and parents asking them to donate devices that they no longer needed. 

Isabella said: “I would love for as many people to get involved in this as possible, as there are limited opportunities to participate in charitable works at the moment. Due to how closely linked this initiative is with Hymers' founding ethos, and the current disadvantages young people are facing, I hope you will agree that this is a very worthwhile cause”.

From  Monday to Friday between 8:00-17:00: At Hymers there will be an unmanned drop off box In the Sports Centre entrance, which can be accessed from the East car park.

Vodafone have partnered with Barnardo's, who will ensure that the devices will reach children who need them. You do not need to give any chargers with the smartphones and tablets (no laptops, please!), nor is it imperative that you wipe any data from them, however it would help if you do. Please also don't forget to remove any SIM cards.

Instructions on how to do this can be found online via:

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/tech/how-erase-your-cell-phone-data-ncna782161

More information can be accessed at: www.vodafone.co.uk/techappeal

The students and the minibus are at the following locations this week:

Monday 25 Jan

HU2 12:40 - 12:50 Outside Emmaus down Lockwood street

HU8 13:00 - 13:10 Charnock Avenue, Hull

HU9 13:20 - 13:30 Poorhouse Lane, near Craven Park

YO25 12:40 - 12:50 Driffield Rugby Club

YO43 13:10 - 13:20 Market Weighton, opposite Tesco

Tuesday 26 Jan

HU12 12:40 - 12:50 Side street to Sainsbury’s, Hull Road, Hedon

HU11 13:00 - 13:10 Bilton Village Hall car park, Main Road, Bilton

HU7 13:30 - 13:40 Ashcombe Road, Kingswood

All DN and LN postcodes 12:40 - 12:50 Leisure Centre car park

Wednesday 27 Jan

HU17 12:40 - 12:50 Annie Reed Road, Beverly

HU16 13:10 - 13:20 King George V Playing Fields car park, Northgate, Cottingham

HU15 13:40 - 13:50 Brantingham Road, outside Hull Ionians Rugby Club

Thursday 28 Jan

HU14 12:40 - 12:50 Main Street, Swanland, opposite the Swan & Cygnet

HU13 13:00 - 13:10 Sainsbury Way, Hessle

HU4 13:20 - 13:30 Peter Pan Park, Pickering Road

Friday 29 Jan

HU10 12:40 - 12:50 Grange Park Lane, Willerby

HU6 13:00 - 13:10 26th Avenue(near Farmfoods), Hull