Anyone know how to get free computers for a charity?

maryotuam

A cancer support charity I attend would like to offer internet access to users to help us find medical and other useful info. We havn't got the funds to buy computers. Anyone know of businesses or organisations who give out recycled computers?

black-saturn

There was an advert in my local paper recently offering free computers from the Open University. Apparantly they are ones they dont use anymore and theyre not really much cop. But free anyway. You should contact your local OU office and ask.

bargainaholic

Some police forces recycle their old PCs, minus the hard drives, to charitable causes. I know Cambridgeshire do, you need to write to them outlining your cause. Their contact details are on their website http://www.cambs.police.uk or try your local force. Good luck!

Savvy_Sue

A couple of possibly useful links in this sticky.

You should think about using Open Source software if all you want is internet access. Old computers plus the most recent version of MS Office is NOT a happy combination, but they might quite happily run less bloated software. The techie board might be another good place to ask ... they'll certainly explain what I mean by Open Source if that's not a term you're familiar with!

Savvy_Sue

Another thought would be to contact your local paper with an appeal, and also your local CVS might have useful contacts.

greytroot

If you are close to any of the Armed Forces they usually do a lot of good work for the local communities. It is amazing what a little letter to the commanding officer does.


I also know that the MOD are all getting updated computer equipment in the next 12 months. So there might even be the chance to pick some of them up.

Encantador

Most schools will have a cupboard full of old computers, not sure how good they might be though. No harm in asking....