A mystery donor has pledged £10,000 to ChronicleLive's campaign to provide internet for disadvantaged children learning from home.
Millions of children across the country are being forced to learn online as part of the ongoing lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.
An estimated 55,000 families across the North East don't have a laptop, tablet or computer, with fears increasing that those most vulnerable will miss out on their education through no fault of their own.
Our campaign aims to address this by raising £1.2m to help provide 100,000 disadvantaged households with free internet access.
We have joins forces with other publishers and organisations in a bid to get vulnerable families online after it was revealed schools will be closed until at least March 8.
In the North East we are aiming to raise £35,000 to purchase WiFi dongles for those most in need.
And we have taken a huge step closer to reaching our goal thanks to a £10,000 donation from the anonymous backer, with the total now standing at £25,565.
The mystery cash injection comes after Gateshead-based The Watson Family Charitable Trust, set up by businessman Ian Watson and his family, also pledged £10,000 to the cause.
After surpassing the £5,000 mark in just one week, the campaign has already made its first deliveries of dongles to schools in North Tyneside.
Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: "The reaction we've had from the community is absolutely fantastic and I want to thank all the local people and businesses from across the North East for their generosity.
"These donations will be life-changing for the children across the region who have spent the best part of a year stuck at home unable to learn.
"They now stand a much better chance of catching up with the learning they've lost in recent months.
"We are in an educational crisis and there are still thousands of families that need help.
"Whether you have an old laptop lying around in the back of a cupboard or you're able to donate even just a small amount, it can make all the difference to a young person's life."
Cash for Connectivity is part of the Laptops for Kids scheme, launched in the North East last month with more than 2,000 devices already being pledged to those struggling to learn at home.
Supported by ChronicleLive, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Sunderland IT firms Rebuyuer and Code, the initiative aims to address the digital divide among our children.
Sunderland AFC, head teachers, MPs Chi Onwurah, Julie Elliott, Emma Lewell-Buck and Grahame Morris, the National Education Union and local businesses are among those to back the campaign.
To donate to Cash for Connectivity, please visit www.gofundme.com/f/chronicle-cash-4-connectivity
