Moore Kingston Smith’s Giving 100 campaign empowers communities by donating 70+ laptops
Turning 100 this year, Moore Kingston Smith marked the occasion with the launch of its Giving 100 campaign, emphasising the firm’s purpose; to create a positive impact with lasting success. Celebratory activities throughout the year include 100 of the firm’s people taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon, donating over 150 Easter eggs for local communities and planting 100 trees. Most recently, the firm donated over 70 refurbished laptops to Girl Code Africa, Charity Partner St Giles, and St Albans-based Computer Friendly to help empower communities with tech and computer skills.
Girl Code Africa is an NGO focusing on providing technological education to girls in Ghana and West Africa. Aiming to increase the number of women graduate holders in the Computer Science and Tech sector, they address the diversity of women within the STEM workforce. The devices, set up at Girl Code’s modular classroom, are being used to teach Digital Marketing, with MKS featuring as a case study as part of the curriculum and will see the girls build websites, a social media campaign and learn about Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
Tyrone Adu-Mfum, Executive Director at Girl Code said: “We are deeply grateful for Moore Kingston Smith’s unwavering support and commitment to our mission at Girl Code. Their contribution not only aids in the education of these young minds but also serves as a testament to the power of collaborative efforts in driving positive change.”
Several donated laptops are supporting the firm’s Charity Partner, St Giles’ homeless clients in Southwark, increasing their chances of employment by enabling access to online job portals as well as creating CVs, cover letters, and helping them reach a variety of job opportunities. This greatly enhances their chances of finding and obtaining suitable employment which ultimately enables them to transition out of homelessness.
Georgie Swinbank, St Giles Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager said: “Having a laptop is essential for St Giles’ client training and employment progression, so this generous donation is a huge help in getting them set up and on a path to a brighter future. We’re extremely thankful on behalf of all the clients who have received laptops.”
Since 2002, the registered UK charity Computer Friendly, run entirely by over 50 experienced unpaid volunteers, has been devoted to assisting people with computers, tablets, and smartphones, running 8 regular drop-ins and offering around 50 high-quality training courses a year. That together with the recycled devices assists them in their aim of helping anyone in the district of St Albans including the disadvantaged to gain computer skills. They are very proud to have received the Queens award for voluntary services in 2020.
Tony Bourke, Chair of Computer Friendly said: “We are so grateful to Moore Kingston Smith for their generous donation of laptops. Since January 2021 we have given away nearly 700 laptops, tablets and smartphones to 30 local schools, as well as charities and organisations. Moore Kingston Smith’s laptops have gone to a secondary school whose families are experiencing hardship and would benefit from the use of a laptop at home for homework and exam preparation.”
Maureen Penfold, Managing Partner at Moore Kingston Smith said: “Any contribution we can make to help people’s personal and professional development, and tackling the digital skills gap means a lot to us. In the spirit of sustainable success, we’re delighted to share that we’ll continue this initiative beyond our 100th year, refurbishing laptops, as well as purchasing new devices to be donated to organisations that will benefit annually.”