Scarborough Building Society is the first organisation to sign-up to our Computer Aid 2004 appeal to donate used PCs to developing countries.

As part of an infrastructure renewal project, the company is upgrading its desktops to Microsoft Office 2003 and Windows XP and is looking for an efficient way to dispose of its old computers.

It is hoping to donate up to 300 machines to the appeal. Our aim is to help specialist charity Computer Aid International recondition and ship 25,000 PCs by the end of the year.

'We are pleased that this technology can be placed with some of the world's poorest countries to aid them in the personal development of their people,' said Scarborough Building Society project manager David Blueman.

'Computer Aid International also seem to take all of the logistical and legal hassles away from the disposal of PCs, as well as providing this technological service to the countries who need it most. We are looking forward to working with Computer Aid as the project continues.'

We have received an excellent response to our appeal since its launch two weeks ago (Computing, 15 April).

We're asking the UK's IT directors to donate their old PCs to Computer Aid to help people in developing countries gain technology skills.

The charity offers a free re-conditioning service that can help companies dispose of unwanted kit effectively.

Donated computers are tested, refurbished, fully upgraded and shipped to developing countries.

If you would like to help the appeal, email computeraid@computing.co.uk