North Kesteven tech donations recognised by Ukraine

A Ukrainian flag was presented to organisers of the recent E-Waste Action Week in North Kesteven in recognition of the contribution made to the country through the inaugural event in 2025.

Representatives of Sleaford Climate Action Network and North Kesteven District Council were delighted to be presented with the flag by Kelly Teasdale of Sivill Service, the company which refurbished tech items donated at the 2025 event. Ms Teasdale has close connections with humanitarian groups who take aid to Ukraine, through which the flag was delivered.

While the original aim of the project was to provide refurbished items to local people, and to ensure responsible recycling of anything that could not be fixed, it emerged that there was also a large amount of equipment that would no longer work with UK systems. These items were redirected to good causes in Ukraine and Ghana.

Ms Teasdale has worked with the Ukrainian charities since the outbreak of war, gathering-in donated devices through a variety of appeals, refurbishing them and passing them on to humanitarian groups.

“Once it arrived, the kit was spread right across Ukraine, including some to an anti-aircraft drone unit which made the flag. Other items went to individuals in need of technology for communication – just like in the UK, many aspects of life incorporate the internet and many people don’t have a way to access it.

“If anything we receive still has a use, we’ll make use of it, even if it’s just for training and education. It stops the waste and, in this case, puts it to good use in defending Ukraine. For example, a lot of older phones no longer work on UK networks, but they will still work over there.

“Older, more basic laptops are sent to Ghana where they’re just learning to use computers. Even though the devices are older and very simple, it helps young people get used to the technology that is still only emerging there.”

Ms Teasdale has herself been awarded a special medal given by Ukraine to people who have made exceptional charitable efforts towards the country.

Coun Richard Wright, Leader of North Kesteven District Council, said: “I’m proud that the work of our teams, and the technology donated by local people, has had such a big impact thousands of miles away. The volunteers we work with, such as Kelly and Sleaford CAN who run this event with us, are vital - we couldn’t do it without them - so I’m pleased that the flag recognises them, too.

“As a council and a community we’ve been involved in helping refugees from the war in Ukraine to settle in the UK, so it’s great that a project to help residents recycle out-of-date equipment has again helped the Ukrainian nation.”

The message on the flag reads: “To NKDC with support from the Repair Café Sleaford. Together we are stronger, with support like yours Ukraine will win the war! Thank you for all your support, from Andrew, Olga and the troops of the 1150 Separate Anti-Aircraft Division, 15 Army Corp. Slava Ukraini!”

At the event in 2025, 73 laptops, more than 390 phones and tablets, and 220kg of cables were donated. Of these 116 items were sent to Ukraine and 48 to Ghana.

This year’s event saw 82 laptops, 303 mobile phones, 87 tablets and more than 115kg of cables donated, a number which is expected to rise when all donations have been counted.

The Action Week relies on the support of IT company Sivill Service in Tattershall, who provide their services free of charge. Sivill Service refurbishes the items or processes them before recycling, alongside their regular work. Items from this year’s event will again go to Ukraine or Ghana if they cannot be used in the UK, continuing the support for these charitable causes.

Anything that cannot be put back to working order is responsibly recycled, returning critical resources such as copper into use. NKDC and Sleaford CAN say that refurbishing and reusing devices is better for the environment than buying new, saving resources and energy in manufacturing. When a product comes to the end of its lifespan, ensuring it is properly recycled helps protect the environment by cutting back on the need to mine new materials.

Visit www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/e-waste for more information and follow the council’s social media channels @northkestevendc.