The MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington, attended Grasmere Primary School in Hackney, east London last week Friday (December 6) to raise awareness of the project.

The initiative is the brainchild of Hearts & Minds Challenge – a charity dedicated to helping families of children with autism.

By donating old mobile phones to the charity, they can go towards an exchange for an iPad. The charity needs to collect at least 185 old, broken, damaged or unwanted mobile phones in exchange for a brand new iPad with autism-friendly apps and features.

Grasmere Primary School is well known for its inclusivity for children with complex special educational needs and its close working relationship with external professionals supporting children.

The scheme has already been rolled out in other areas such as Manchester, Nottingham and Ipswich where it has had great success.

Abbott is backing the scheme and hopes people get behind it too. She said: “At one time or another we are left with an old mobile phone which often gets put away in a drawer and forgotten about. Donating them to Grasmere Primary you can make a difference.

She added: “I think this is a great way for the community to work together and support families with children who have learning difficulties”

The school will be the collection point for the mobile phones over the Christmas period and into January 2014. iPads from the scheme will not just benefit children with learning difficulties at Grasmere Primary but they will also be distributed to other needy families in the area.

If you have any unwanted mobile phones, please drop them into Grasmere Primary School Reception between Monday and Friday any time between 9am till 4pm.

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/ipads-kids-learning-difficulties