THE UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has been doing its bit to support the local community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

UKHO, based at Admiralty Way, Taunton, has donated around 100 surplus-to-requirement laptops to the Taunton Learning Partnership (TLP), which is able to repurpose the devices for students who do not have adequate IT resources to support remote learning.

TLP is a collaborative group of primary, secondary and special schools in Taunton and the surrounding area.

All member schools are committed to supporting vulnerable children and families, while ensuring outstanding teaching and learning and striving for equity of provision and opportunity for all children, from ages 0-19 years.

Katherine Hollinghurst, TLP manager, said: “We’re delighted that the UK Hydrographic Office chose to support us.

"Their generosity is very much appreciated, and the laptops will be a tremendous resource for supporting the home learning of many young people across schools in the Taunton Learning Partnership.”

Rear Admiral Peter Sparkes, acting chief executive and national hydrographer at the UKHO, said: “We’re committed to helping our local community and supporting education.

"Beyond the pandemic, and as lockdown eases, there are many families and students who will benefit greatly from having access to online resources in support of their learning.

"I’m very proud and grateful for the proactive, thoughtful and innovative approach that UKHO staff have taken to deliver this positive outcome.”

UKHO is also playing a role in the community through its award-winning STEM outreach programme, which continues to support and inspire the next generation into STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers.

Its staff are also committed to raising funds for their nominated charity of the year, The Grand Appeal, which fundraises for the Bristol Children's Hospital to provide pioneering, life-saving equipment and research.