A MOTHER-OF-FIVE from rural Herefordshire has praised a Hereford Times campaign which is enabling her children to work more effectively from home.

Abigail Rusling, 38, said she felt like a referee as she tried to share one laptop between her three girls, all in secondary school.

But thanks to the Hereford Times Laptops Appeal, in partnership with Laptops 2 Kids Herefordshire, her three daughters, all at Kingstone Academy, can learn from home.

To donate a laptop or to make a monetary contribution visit: bit.ly/HTlaptop

“It has been a godsend. It has really eased the pressure from me and the children,” Mrs Rusling, of Ewyas Harold, said.

“I’m no teacher and have found it incredibly hard. My eldest, being in year 11, is the one with the most need for a laptop. Prior to receiving this we had one device between us all.”

The laptops appeal takes unused laptops from houses and businesses, securely removes all data, before they are given to school across the county.

Mrs Rusling’s eldest daughter Hannah, 15, has had her GCSE exams cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and her grades will now be based on the work she submits.

Despite this, she still had to share the laptop with her twin sisters Phoebe and Grace, 11.

“All the work she does now and submits now will be her grade,” Mrs Rusling, a photographer who has currently been furloughed, said.

“The pressure on her submitting that work and also being on virtual lessons was huge, it caused lots an lots of stress.

“Lots of anxiety for her and also lots of arguments. My twin girls in year 7 were given work and deadlines, but they were all using one device.”