Triple triumph for laptops as Sir Tom Hunter backs campaign with £500k donation

Mail Force had a triple boost yesterday with £500,000 from a leading entrepreneur, laptops from Sainsbury’s and a deluge of donations from readers.

The charity’s campaign to get laptops to lockdown pupils has now raised an astonishing £2.6million in just five days.

Sir Tom Hunter, who made his fortune in sporting goods, handed over his magnificent donation along with his favourite quotation: ‘A man who dies rich, dies disgraced.’

Sir Tom Hunter, who made his fortune in sporting goods, handed over his magnificent £500,000 donation along with his favourite quotation: ‘A man who dies rich, dies disgraced’

He was the wealthiest man in Scotland – until he started giving away his money.

Yesterday the first bulging postbag arrived stuffed with cheques from generous Mail readers – more than 3,000 envelopes garnering around £250,000.

Many were from retired teachers and contained stirring messages of support. In another stunning milestone, the amount raised by readers sending cash online last night smashed through the £500,000 barrier.

Another huge boost arrived in the form of 2,000 second-hand laptops from Sainsbury’s – worth a whopping £440,000 – along with a cool £30,000 cheque from the supermarket giant to pay for hundreds of other computers to be refurbished too.

Mail Force’s Computers for Kids campaign takes used laptops donated by firms and – for around £15 each – refurbishes them for classroom use.

The charity will also supply new devices and aims to help children’s online learning in other ways. Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: ‘Throughout the pandemic we have being doing everything we can to support the most vulnerable people in society and we are proud to support Mail Force’s Computers for Kids campaign.

So far the Mail's campaign has raised £2.6 million to provide laptops for disadvantaged children

So far the Mail’s campaign has raised £2.6 million to provide laptops for disadvantaged children

Single mother Harriet Way, pictured with her children has found it difficult to adequately home school her family as she has access to two machines with three children who require access

Single mother Harriet Way, pictured with her children has found it difficult to adequately home school her family as she has access to two machines with three children who require access

‘Access to education is crucial and we want to ensure kids in the communities we serve have the tools they need to join classes online and continue their learning during lockdown.’

The Mail Force campaign is designed to complement an already-mammoth programme from the Department for Education to deliver 1.3million devices to schoolchildren – one of the biggest laptop procurement projects in the world. It has already delivered an impressive 875,000 computers.

Sir Tom said he was motivated to dig deep by hearing stories of parents struggling to get their children online.

The 59-year-old entrepreneur, who was knighted for his philanthropy, added: ‘Education is a human right, and Covid has turned that on its head. The things stopping kids are not having devices or access to the internet, and we just need to fix it.

‘My wife and I decided we didn’t want to be the richest people in the graveyard and wanted to do something worthwhile while we are still here.’

Almost 9,000 Mail readers have now sent money online. Among those to contribute was four-year-old Archer, who gave £15 to help another child.

A message with his donation said: ‘I am one of the lucky children so I would like to help a little boy or girl who is not so fortunate.’ Peter Marriott, 89, gave £100 to ‘help our children get the education they all deserve’, adding: ‘Give now to save their future.’ 

Moving messages in letters bringing gifts for children 

BY ARTHUR MARTIN, HELENA KELLY and INDERDEEP BAINS

They came by sackloads, thousands of letters from all across the UK, each containing cheques, our magnificent readers sparing what they could to help those most in need, the nation’s schoolchildren.

It was an astonishing sight. Hundreds upon hundreds of the envelopes contained messages to tug at the heartstrings.

Grandparents spoke of their fears about the impact lockdown was having on the less fortunate. Retired teachers, all too aware of the importance of education, fretted for pupils’ futures.

Daily Mail journalist Helena Kelly, pictured, is photographed with some of the thousands of donations from readers to the Computers for Kids campaign

Daily Mail journalist Helena Kelly, pictured, is photographed with some of the thousands of donations from readers to the Computers for Kids campaign

And then, in support of the Mail Force Computers for Kids initiative, there was one note from a four-year-old lad called Archer. He gave £15 of his precious pocket money.

The attached message read: ‘I am one of the lucky children so I would like to help a little boy or girl who is not so fortunate.’

The cheques pouring in ranged from just £5 to £4,000. Our team began counting at midday – and were burning the midnight oil as they sought to complete the counting task.

Of course, we shouldn’t have been surprised.

Your help in alleviating the PPE crisis was staggering. And after the call went out to support Mail Force’s new laptop campaign, our loyal readers have once again stepped up to the plate.

Moved by the plight of schoolchildren trying to learn in lockdown, almost 13,000 readers have donated £775,000 in just five days. That includes around £250,000 that arrived in the post yesterday when the charity received the first sackfuls of letters containing 3,700 cheques.

It is expected that the £250,000 figure will rise once Gift Aid is added. It can add 25 per cent to donations from readers who are taxpayers.

Last night more than 9,000 readers had also donated £416,000 via the charity’s online platform. With Gift Aid, this figure reached more than £500,000. Our generous readers have also donated £16,000 via text.

HOW TO DONATE TO COMPUTERS FOR KIDS 

CLICK HERE 

TO DONATE 

TO YOU, THE READER: How to send us donations 

The Daily Mail has launched a brand new campaign, Computers For Kids, to raise money for Mail Force – a charity which aims to provide much needed school equipment and resources for pupils across the UK learning from home.

With schools closed, we are left with the dilemma of hundreds of thousands of pupils in the UK having no access to a computer in their home.

As part of this campaign, companies are donating their old laptops which, for around £15, can be wiped, professionally refurbished and made safe and fit for home schooling. They can then be delivered to a child or young person who needs one.

In addition, the campaign is looking to support children’s needs in other ways such as funding brand new laptops and tablets, and assisting with data access and connectivity for online learning. Any surplus funds will be used to support of the work of UK schools via other means.

TO MAKE A DONATION ONLINE

Visit mailforcecharity.co.uk/donate and follow the steps to complete your donation. 

Please don’t send us your old device.

TO MAKE A DONATION VIA YOUR PHONE

To donate £10 – text KIDS10 to 70115

To donate £20 – text KIDS20 to 70115 

TO COMPANIES: Could you give your old laptops?

Upgrading office computers is something all companies do from time to time – and there has never been a better time to donate old laptops. If you are a company with 50 laptops or more that you could give, please visit www.computacenter.com/daily-mail to check they are suitable and register your donation. We will arrange for collection by our specialist partners Computacenter. Please note: we cannot accept donated laptops from individuals.

COMPANIES SHOULD GO TO: computacenter.com/daily-mail 

TO SCHOOLS: Where to apply for the computers

Schools must apply to the Department for Education, which is managing the demand and prioritising the schools most in need. The Mail Force initiative means more laptops will become available more quickly.

SCHOOLS CAN APPLY HERE: https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk

More than 200 envelopes contained cheques written out for £100 or more. Of these, almost 40 were for more than £500 and 11 were for more than £1,000.

On several occasions two cheques were found in an envelope. Many also contained colourful greetings cards, postcards and beautifully handwritten notes – each extolling the importance of education. Smiley faces were attached to a handful of donations.

Alongside his donation, Alan Bowdler, of Birmingham, wrote: ‘As a retired teacher, I know the difference it makes to a child’s education if they miss a few days off school, never mind several terms.

‘Computers are essential tools in 2021. Thank you once again for seeing a need and acting on it. A voice to be heard!’

Mary Gibson, of Durham, said: ‘As a retired teacher in the state secondary sector for 38 years, I am more than happy to support your appeal. I am very disappointed that schools have been closed for so long.’

Joan Harris, from Wigan, wrote: ‘Well done to the Daily Mail for another brilliant campaign. Our grandson is in his A-level year and is lucky enough to have a laptop.

‘So many children haven’t and it’s vital for their education in this difficult time.’

Janet Etches, of New Romney in Kent, wrote: ‘The fab Daily Mail has come up with another brilliant idea.’

Such sentiments were echoed by Sheila Brown, from south London, who donated a four-figure sum.

She wrote: ‘I am sorry I cannot give more. I have been a reader of the Mail for just over 40 years. You do a wonderful job.’

Beverley Payne, from Cheshire, added: ‘Well done Daily Mail for your initiative. I have a six-year-old twin grandsons fighting over their laptop, so it must be even worse with several children in the house.’

Others said it was their fond memories of their school days which prompted them to donate. Peter Kennett and Doreen Denton wrote: ‘In our days at school, now a memory, it was ink pens and ink wells. Delighted to help children of today.’

Mrs Y Bates added: ‘As a retired school secretary and the mother of two children who are both teachers, I know how important these are for children.’

Another note from a woman called Jean said that she and her husband have grandchildren who are either at university or school. She wrote: ‘They are all working on their computers. It is so sad so many children cannot do this. I hope this helps. Thank you for all you are doing.’

Alongside another donation, a great grandmother of eight wrote: ‘Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing for our school children. I wish this could be more.’

Reader Jinny Owen said: ‘A brighter future for all the children in the country.’

Many pledged part of their pension allowance which they would have spent in restaurants or at the hairdressers.

Two pensioners wrote: ‘We cannot have lunch out so hope this donation helps. We are both in our 80s and know how important education is.’

Meanwhile, there online donations big and small from more than 9,000 supporters. Pensioner Peter Marriott gave £100 to ‘help our children get the education they all deserve’. He added: ‘I am 89 very close to 90. My education was during the Blitz and very basic. This is not what they need nowadays or it will be a struggle in their future. Give now and save their future.’

A grandmother called Bernadette who also contributed said: ‘I am a pensioner with grandchildren in this position. A kind soul helped them, I would like to help some other children who are also struggling. God bless and thank you.’

A former teacher generously donated £100, saying: ‘I am a retired primary school teacher and wish to support children in need of laptops to continue their education in these difficult times.’

Grandfather Mike McAdam donated on behalf of his grandchildren aged eight and 12. He said: ‘In making a donation, I’m conscious my grandchildren are fortunate to have their independent means.’

Top marks! Boris and Keir back campaign

By JOHN STEVENS

Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer yesterday gave heavyweight political backing to the Mail Force Computers for Kids campaign.

The Prime Minister hailed the ‘fantastic’ drive to get laptops to lockdown pupils so they can follow lessons from home.

With children now forced to spend at least six more weeks at home after the reopening of schools was put back until March 8 at the earliest, provision of the devices is a race against time.

The Prime Minister hailed the ¿fantastic¿ drive to get laptops to lockdown pupils so they can follow lessons from home

The Prime Minister hailed the ‘fantastic’ drive to get laptops to lockdown pupils so they can follow lessons from home

As the total raised reached £2.6million, Mr Johnson thanked Daily Mail readers for their generosity. ‘Education remains our top priority and we are doing everything we can to support children and young people to learn from home while their classrooms are closed,’ he said.

‘Making sure they have the right technology to get online is vital, which is why we’ve provided over a million laptops and devices to schools across the country so far, with more to come.

‘At this challenging time everyone can do their bit to help and I’d like to thank the Mail and its readers for stepping up to support our efforts with another fantastic campaign.’ It won further backing from the Labour leader.

Sir Keir said: ‘I welcome this campaign and I applaud the Daily Mail, its readers and all the businesses who are stepping up to support our children’s education.

‘After months of promises from ministers, too many kids are still being priced out of home learning. Labour will continue pressing for access to a laptop or device for every child who needs one.’

The Department for Education is embarked upon a drive to supply 1.3million laptops to the schoolchildren most in need during lockdown – and has already delivered 875,000.

The Mail Force initiative is to complement the Government’s approach with new sources of supply, including recycled laptops which are reconditioned by our expert partner.

At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, the two leaders clashed over the problem of not enough children having the laptops they need to learn at home.

Sir Keir asked Mr Johnson about a Daily Mail poll earlier this week that revealed one third of families are struggling with home schooling because they do not have enough computers for their children.

In a lively exchange, the Labour leader accused ministers of not acting soon enough. He said: ‘The Government has got a duty to ensure that every single child can learn from home. Without access to a laptop, computer or the internet that can’t happen.

‘The Government was challenged on this last summer, it was challenged on it last autumn, and here we are nearly at the end of January – the best part of a year into this pandemic – and a third of families say they do not have enough laptops or home computers and over 400,000 children still cannot get online at home.

‘Does the Prime Minister realise how angry many families are that he still hasn’t gotten to grips with this?’ Mr Johnson insisted the Government was working to resolve the shortages.

‘I do fully understand the frustration and impatience of families who are educating their kids at home,’ he said. ‘I know how frustrated teachers are with remote learning as well. That is why we provided 1.3million laptops.’

But Sir Keir dismissed the Prime Minister’s answer as ‘simply not good enough’. He continued: ‘One in three families say they don’t have the wherewithal to do home teaching and those children are going without home schooling.’