Help Computer Aid with its monitor appeal

Charity is in desperate need of unwanted monitors to ship off to developing countries and help get more people connected

I've been asked to appeal to the big hearts in the channel to help international charity Computer Aid. I know there are a lot of you out there.

The charity is in desperate need of old and unwanted PC monitors to help fight poverty and get more people in developing countries access to computers.

It needs donations of over 2,500 monitors a month to help schools, hospitals and charities in Africa and Latin America, but is only receiving 30 per cent of that number so far.

The charity already has the base units, but is sadly lacking on the monitor side of things.

In the words of David Barker, chief executive of Computer Aid: "We are calling for all IT managers who have unwanted TFT or CRT monitors to help us meet demand from schools and hospitals in developing countries.

"Hundreds of schools in Chile are waiting to receive computers and, while we currently have over 4,000 refurbished base units ready and waiting to go, we don't have the monitors to match them with.

"The shortage of monitors is a problem that looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. Most companies refresh their base units every three to four years, however results from a recent donor survey show that most people do not upgrade their monitors at the same rate and the use of longer lasting TFT and LED monitors means that screens might only be refreshed every six years.

"While this is definitely a good thing as it means that companies are extending the life of their IT equipment, it has resulted in a critical shortage in donated screens to Computer Aid. Consequently, we are urging any individuals or companies that have unwanted monitors to get in touch - your donation could make a huge and immediate difference to hundreds of people," he said.

The charity offers a full removal and decommissioning service to UK firms that want to donate PCs and laptops, refurbishing each PC to a standard that will allow at least another three years' useage.

To find out more and get in touch with the charity, click here.