Gripple donates laptops to give helping hand to the next generation of engineers.

The manufacturer is a world leader in wire joining and tensioning systems and is headquartered in Sheffield.

Gripple works with schools and colleges to encourage young people to consider careers in manufacturing and provides training on employability skills.

It has also donated 20 devices directly to local primary schools.

Steve Wilson, IT manager, said: “Many of our people have children at local schools and are very aware of the challenges faced by lots of households in accessing the internet during lockdown.

“As an employee-owned business, we feel a responsibility to support the younger generation so they can be employable in the future.

“We are always looking for talent to help us design and manufacture innovative products for our customers across the world.”

The company’s IT supplier, Broomhall-based Systems Assurance, provided the devices at a discounted price in support of Laptops for Kids.

Gripple has operations in France, USA and India and is constructing a fifth factory in Sheffield.

It supplies the building services, civil construction, agriculture and landscaping sectors.

Technology entrepreneur David Richards, who instigated the Laptops for Kids campaign with The Star, said: “Gripple is a fine example of a socially-minded business investing for the future.

“We would like to thank all the employees for their generous support for our campaign.

“Nearly one in 10 children are living in households without laptops, tablets or PCs which makes re-mote learning impossible.

“Every donation counts and we urge more companies to support Laptops for Kids.”

Laptops for Kids launched in Sheffield in September and has proved its model of sourcing donations, securely erasing devices and distributing them according to need.

The campaign is scaling up across the North of England and has launched in Newcastle and Doncaster with more locations to follow.

Partners include Blancco plc, the global leader in certified data erasure, Twinkl, the online educational publisher, and WANdisco plc, the data software company jointly headquartered in Sheffield and Sili-con Valley.

To donate devices or cash, please visit www.LTFK.co.uk

Steve Wilson also spoke to Howard Pressman on BBC Radio Sheffield too to talk more about our involvement with the initiative.

Click here to listen to the interview (Steve's interview starts at 2:16.40).