A KEIGHLEY animation studio is supporting efforts to help refugees and asylum seekers access technology.

Distant Future Animation Studio, based at Parkway House in Worth Way, has donated £1,000 worth of equipment – including a drawing tablet, computer, mobile phones and video camera – to a Bradford community interest company.

Solidaritech wipes and refurbishes technological items – such as laptops, smart phones and tablets – and then allocates them to refugees and asylum seekers to enable them to pursue studies, start businesses or convert existing qualifications to UK standards.

Its chief executive, Ben McKenna, thanked Distant Future Animation Studio for the donation.

"We are really grateful," he said.

"All of our equipment goes on to a second life.

"In an age when everything has become disposable, our mission is to help lessen the 50 million tonnes of e-waste created in the UK every year – whilst supporting people who are restarting their lives in a new country to access technology and feel a little more settled.

"Partnering with organisations like Distant Future is a huge part of this and it’s fantastic that it has recognised where its unused tech items can move on to."

The donation is the first in a series planned by the animation studio.

Distant Future managing director, Bill Beaumont, said: "I’d known Ben for a few years through networking, so Solidaritech was a no brainer for us when it came to finding a new home for our unused equipment.

"Rather than sitting in the studio going to waste, it can be cleaned up by the tech team at Solidaritech and go on to help refugees and asylum seekers build a new life.

"We’re planning to continue the relationship with the team, donating more equipment where possible, as it’s an incredibly worthy cause. The last few years have truly highlighted the importance of coming together as a business community to help others and the Bradford district is a wonderful example of this."

Mr Beaumont founded Distant Future Animation Studio in Bradford 11 years ago, and now leads a team of four other creatives – plus two work experience placements.

The business produces award-winning 2D and 3D animation for large-brand agencies, manufacturing industries and other private and public-sector and voluntary organisations.

It has twice won the Media Business of the Year accolade at the Keighley & Airedale Business Awards and been listed in the Digital Enterprise Top 100.