Jonathan Irwin, Founder & CEO of Jack & Jill, told Primary Times:-

“Last year the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation collected over a quarter of a million old mobile phones through Irish schools and so far we have installed 400 Promethean whiteboards in classrooms nationwide.  We’ve had very positive feedback from teachers about the simplicity of this win win scheme which saves them money, helps them achieve blue flag status and provides a valuable learning tool for our children by putting toxic waste to good use.

“To everyone who has participated so far, I want to say a huge Big Thank You on behalf of Jack & Jill families and please continue to spread the good news about this campaign to neighboring schools.  We need your help now more than ever.

“This year, we are hoping to double the number of schools registered and perhaps YOUR school could benefit?  For information on how to register please go to www.jackandjill.ie.  There you will find a shopping list of what’s on offer besides whiteboards which remain the most popular item.  We are always open to new ideas from teachers on what other items should be on this list.

“The Jack & Jill Foundation, which only receives 19% of our funding through the State, relies heavily on mobile phone recycling to raise the €3 million we need every year to support the families of brain damaged children nationwide with home nursing care and respite.  To see the number of children supported by Jack & Jill in your country go to www.jackandjill.ie and thank you in advance for your support and remember ‘There’s no place like home – especially for sick children.’”

The Jack and Jill Foundation in conjunction with it’s recycling partner Folamh is pleased to announce it’s new offering entitled Phones for Kits. Folamh Limited is the recycling partner of the Jack and Jill Foundation, and together we are constantly trying to develop new ways of raising funds for the sick children cared for by Jack & Jill.

Over the past year, we have successfully rolled out our Phones for Boards Program in schools around Ireland whereby in return for the donation of mobile phones to us, we supply them with an interactive whiteboard free of charge.

We are now rolling out this very same model to Ireland’s sports clubs and school teams under the banner of Phones for Kits.

The club gives us old mobile phones and we give the club new jersey’s free of charge!

The proceeds from the sale of the mobile phones are used to cover the cost of the kits with the balance passed on to Jack and Jill. As well as helping ensure that the phones are recycled instead of being simply discarded or left in drawers.

This will save clubs from spending their membership funds, and for others it will save the parents having to pay.

We have spoken with and agreed pricing with both Umbro and O’Neills, so we can supply jerseys from both suppliers.

There is no limit to the number of sets that a club can receive and what we would envisage is that the club would encourage each team to donate phones so that every team in the club gets new jerseys.

For 450 mobile phones we can also provide a defibrillator and we are hoping to extend this offer to a wider range of equipment that clubs need.

It is a win-win situation where clubs benefit by clubs, parents and Jack & Jill all benefit.

Clubs and schools can register on line at www.jackandjill.ie/phonesforkits or by calling 1850-525-545.