OLD laptop computers are being given a new lease of life and a new home thousands of miles away thanks to a York-based charity.

International Service is seeking donations with the novel offer of a photograph showing their old PC being used by its new owners.

The charity, which celebrates its 60th birthday this year, runs human rights projects in West Africa, Latin America and the occupied Palestinian territory, and delivers an overseas volunteering programme for 18 to 25-year-olds.

Chief executive officer Jo Baker said: “Computers have been a huge part of the work we’ve done, whether it be helping young people in the occupied Palestinian territory to express themselves through their own podcast, or enabling a disabled women’s co-operative to generate a sustainable income through selling their hand-crafted products online.

“We couldn’t have made as much global impact without computers.”

Donors will receive a picture of their laptop being used in another country, to explain the difference their gift will be making.

Liam Conlon, who recently volunteered with International Service in Burkina Faso, said: “Living with disability in West Africa is made so difficult by the lack of information and understanding around diagnoses and conditions.

“However, I saw one school where the use of a laptop meant parents were able to research their child’s condition and so provide better support.

‘‘It not only transformed the life of the child, but empowered the whole family.”

For more information, visit internationalservice.org.uk

A home collection service is available in the York area.