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A SCHEME to provide laptop computers for disabled and housebound people in the Haverhill area has received a boost from software giant Microsoft.
Three copies of Windows 2000 small business edition software, worth more than £1,400, have been given to the Haverhill Organisation of Voluntary Organisations (HAVO) by the company.
Ann Thomas, chairman of HAVO, said she was delighted to be given the software after contacting the firm to ask for a discounted price as a charity.
Ms Thomas said: "I expected them to say we could have them a bit cheaper but I had no idea they would give them to us. They actually have a section called Microsoft Giving and they did not even insist we marked the software with their name."
HAVO has pioneered a scheme to increase computer and internet access for disabled and elderly people in their own homes. Recently, the project was awarded £5,000 in Lottery funding and it is hoped to have the equipment available for loans and home tuition sessions later this month.

PHOTO CAPTION: Boost... Ann Thomas, HAVO chairman and Michael Simpkin, office manager, with Microsoft's donation at the HAVO centre.