Meet the school IT provider delivering festive cheer in Leeds

Leeds-based Zarach is a charity which provides basics to children living in poverty in the city and is set to deliver much-needed supplies to families who are struggling this Christmas with vans from Pudsey-based Next Generation IT.

Made up of donations, each ‘Chrimbox’ box will contain food for the 14 days of the school holidays, a craft activity box as well as a book and a gift for each child in the family.

Bex Wilson, founder of Zarach, said: “Often we think poverty is the absence of ‘things’ but quite often it is the presence of chaos.

“A mum or dad trying to plan meals to ensure every child is full and that there’s enough food to last the week when money is tight is really tough. During holidays this is compacted. Our Chrimboxes include food for 14 days plus a day-by-day meal plan.

“This way we are reducing waste, promoting health and easing the ‘What’s for tea?’ stress. It also allows families to plan how to use what funds they do have available.

“Too often we see families limiting when they heat their house or how long they put the lights on for. Hopefully, we can reduce the number of tough choices they are having to make, especially over the festive period.”

Next Generation IT, which supplies IT support and equipment to schools across West Yorkshire, became one of Zarach’s corporate partners in February this year.

Supporting the charity’s ‘Every Head a Bed’ campaign, the firm has funded 17 Zarach Bed Bundles this year made up of a new bed, mattress, duvet, pillow, sheets, pyjamas and a hygiene kit.

Steven Lightfoot, director of Next Generation IT, said: “We’ve worked with Zarach since February and are delighted to support their Chrimbox appeal which will bring much-needed supplies and comfort to families who are struggling over Christmas.

“The work that Bex and the team do is amazing, ensuring that children come to school well-rested and well-fed so that they can learn.

“We are proud to support Zarach and look forward to continuing to work with them in 2021.”

Next Generation IT is the education support department of Pudsey Computers. The company started 30 years ago and is currently supporting or supplying around 70 schools across

Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees. Earlier this year the firm joined forces with Google Education to supply 450 pupils with Google Chromebooks at an inner-city school in Leeds.

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