Scarlett Moffatt has urged residents to donate laptops to a North East campaign helping disadvantaged children to learn at home during lockdown.
The former I'm A Celebrity and Gogglebox star is backing the Laptops for Kids scheme, which is aiming to address the digital divide.
According to new analysis from the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, at least 55,000 families in the North East do not have access to a laptop, tablet or desktop computer - with fears many children could fall behind with their education.
Laptops for Kids enables individuals and organisations to donate redundant laptops, tablets and PCs, which are then securely data wiped, restored, and distributed to children in need.
And we have seen an "overwhelming" response by the public with the campaign now reaching the milestone of 2,000 devices being donated in a matter of weeks.
Scarlett has now joined fellow celebrities Ant and Dec and Charlotte Crosby by encouraging her two million followers to back the "amazing" initiative on her Instagram story.
She said: "Right now there are so many children whose education is suffering and it really will be detrimental to their future because they haven’t got the laptops and tablets to be able to do the work that schools need them to do right now.
“So Rebuyer has set up the Donate Digital campaign where you can donate your old laptops and tablets to them, and they’ll pass them on to kids who need them.
"Even if there’s an old battery that doesn’t work or no charger, then they’re working to refurbish them to pass on, which I just think is amazing."
The Laptops for Kids campaign, which is being ran in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, ChronicleLive and Sunderland-based IT firms Rebuyer and Code, has also received the backing of Sunderland AFC, headteachers, MPs, the National Education Union and local businesses.
Simon Howatson, chief executive of Rebuyer, said: "It’s incredible to have Scarlett’s support for this campaign.
"Working with our partners, we are delivering thousands of devices to children across the North East to bridge the digital divide.
"We wipe laptops and tablets to the highest specification and make them reusable once again.
"The project can make a real difference and ensure no child is left behind."
Devices can be dropped off at one of 14 Co-op stores across Newcastle, Northumberland, Sunderland, Gateshead and County Durham while people are picking up their essential shopping.
Anyone wanting to support the Laptops for Kids campaign should visit www.donatedigital.co.uk where businesses can pledge to donate suitable technology, individuals can express interest in donating items and headteachers can request assistance.
The Co-op stores where devices can be dropped off:
- Choppington, Northumberland, NE62 5DA. Open 7 days, 7am – 10pm
- Great North Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE13 6LN. Open Monday – Saturday 6am – 10pm and Sunday 10am – 10pm
- Coxhoe - Park Road, County Durham, DH6 4HA. Open 7 days, 7am – 10pm
- Newton Hall, County Durham, DH1 5LT. Open Monday – Saturday 7am – 10pm, and Sunday 10am – 4pm.
- Quebec Street, County Durham, DH7 9UU. Open 7 days, 6am – 10pm.
- Ushaw Moor, County Durham, DH7 7LQ. Open 7 days, 6am – 10pm.
- Prudhoe, Northumberland, NE42 5HF. Open Monday – Saturday 8am – 10pm, and Sunday 10am – 4pm.
- Ryton - Parsons Drive, Tyne and Wear, NE40 3RA. Open Monday – Saturday 7am – 10pm, and Sunday 10am – 4pm.
- Whickham - Oakfield Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16 5BY. Open Monday – Saturday 7am – 10pm, and Sunday 10am – 4pm.
- Low Fell – 459 Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5EX. Open 7 days, 7am – 10pm.
- Haltwhistle – Main Street, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9AH. Open 7 days, 7am – 10pm.
- Corbridge – 4- 6 Hill Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5AA. Open 7 days, 7am – 10pm.
- Shiney Row – 1 -3 Grangewood Court, Shiney Row, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 4RS. Open 7 days, 7am – 11pm.
- Sunderland – Northmoor Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 1TJ. Open 7 days, 6am – 11pm.
Opening hours for the Co-op stores may be subject to change so we would advise checking through the Co-op store finder here before you set off.
