Foster children will find it easier to take part in school classes remotely thanks to a fundraising drive by members of the Pembroke Rotary Club.

The group worked with the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), and the Foster Parents Association to examine ways in which they could help children returning to school.

Their efforts were finally rewarded this month when the Foster Parents Association was presented with 14 laptop computers for children to use.

Kevin Monkman of Pembroke Rotary said: “In past years, as children were preparing to return to school, the Pembroke Rotary Club worked together with donors and supporters to purchase school supplies and backpacks.

“The school supplies were carefully arranged to fill the backpacks and then turned over to the Foster Parents Association for distribution to foster children who needed the support.”

Mr Monkman said that the club decided to take a different approach this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: “After discussions with DCFS and the association, the club decided that since children were unlikely to return to school anytime soon, they didn’t really need backpacks full of school supplies. What children did need, however, were laptop computers so they could participate in online classes.”

The club roped in support from computer supplier Mobile Tech and investment firm Fidelity, which provided financial and IT support. Rotary International also helped raise funds.

Mr Monkman said: “Finally, after all the searching and fundraising was complete, the Pembroke Rotary Club was pleased to turn over 14 laptops to Selena Simons from the Department of Child and Family Services for onward distribution to those foster children who were in the greatest need.”