Social enterprise Bulky Bob’s has launched an appeal to Liverpool city region firms to donate unwanted computers for its Computers for Kids campaign. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool social enterprise Bulky Bob’s is appealing for firms to donate their unwanted computers to donate them for use by children across the city region.

Last week, Bulk Bob’s offered hi-spec computers to kids across Merseyside who are struggling to get access to online lessons as part of their Computers for Kids drive. It is working with organisations who support children to provide refurbished desktop computers.

However, the initiative was such a success that all of their computers sold out in a day. This created more than £58,000 of social value and provided a vital digital lifeline to Merseyside children. Now Bulky Bob’s, part of the FRC Group, wants to offer more computers to those who need them.

It is now launching an urgent appeal to businesses who have bulk loads of computers, potentially gathering dust, to use the Bulky Bob’s for Business service to get these computers refurbished and out to those most in need.

All computers are data wiped and refurbished at the Bulky Bob’s workshop before being made available to purchase at the much reduced price of £100 each. Chief executive Shaun Doran said: “We have a waiting list of organisations who support children who need computers, but we have totally sold out of stock. 

“We are sending out a plea to businesses who have 10 or more computers that they no longer use to contact us so we can ensure these make their way to those most in need in society, particularly children without IT access during the current lockdown.”

The latest offering sees high-spec full PCs with MS Windows operating system, monitor, keyboard, mouse and base unit offered at the less than cost rate of £100 (subject to minimum order of 10 units).

This will allow schools, charities, housing associations and other organisations supporting the children of our region to offer IT access to children who otherwise may be struggling with home learning now COVID-19 has forced the closure of many schools.

There are thousands of families across Merseyside living in Furniture Poverty, sharing beds or sleeping on the floor, living without essential furniture items. Items collected by the Bulky Bob’s collection service are reused where possible, being refreshed and fixed then sold at the Bulky Bobs Furniture World London Road site in Liverpool.

Although currently closed, Bulky Bob’s is still open for appointments for our crisis referral scheme with its charity partners. This is why it’s crucial items left for collection are protected from the elements as much as possible prior to collection, to give them the best chance of being reused.

Mr Doran added: “Items such as computers are often in great condition when businesses decide to purchase new equipment. Our mission as a group of charities under the FRC Group umbrella is to end furniture poverty, and this includes data wiping and refurbishing computers which are often very high-spec.”

Those interested in supporting the programme can email marketing@frcgroup.co.uk or call 0151 305 5201.