GENEROUS North-East residents have pledged to donate nearly 200 laptops and tablets to help children learn from home during lockdown.

Sunderland-based firms Rebuyer, which recycles IT equipment, and Code, a digital skills training academy, have partnered with local organisations to enable people to pledge equipment for the ‘Laptops for Kids’ campaign.

The companies have launched donatedigital.co.uk where people can donate laptops, tablets and PCs.

After being launched on Thursday, 126 people have already pledged to donate nearly 200 devices.

Simon Howatson, chief executive of Code and Rebuyer, said: “The response from people across the north-east has been overwhelming.

“To have nearly 200 devices pledged in 24 hours has exceeded our expectations and will make a real difference for kids across the region.

“We will data wipe machines to the strictest government guidance, upgrade the equipment and use our channels to distribute the equipment to children that require it most.

“No child should fall behind in their learning because they can’t access online learning, and we want to help as many families as possible to bridge the digital divide.”

The campaign is in conjunction with Northumbrian Water and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.