A HOUSING group is backing a campaign to provide laptops for children to help them learn from home during the latest lockdown.

Beyond Housing has funded 10 computers for pupils in Redcar and Cleveland.

The computers will be given directly to families who are struggling to properly home school without access to a device, through links with local community groups Grangetown Generations and the Ladies of Steel, who are leading the #compsforkids appeal with other partners in the borough.

Stephanie Lake, community connector coordinator at Beyond Housing, said: “When we learned that some local children didn’t have the devices they need to learn from home, we knew we had to step up and do what we could to support them.

“We are delighted to have been able to purchase these new laptops to gift to young people in the borough. We are sure they will support children as they continue to learn from home, and remain an asset to helping them carry on their learning after schools reopen.”

Chief executive Rosemary Du Rose said: “Children and young people have felt the harsh impact of the lockdowns more than most, being asked to sacrifice a year of their education and all of the social benefits of being in school.

“At Beyond Housing, we’re absolutely committed to providing the support our communities need to flourish. Delivering these laptops to some of our communities in Redcar and Cleveland will help ensure that more children are able to access proper education.”

The Northern Echo is also backing a campaign to help children to access their education at home.

The Cash for Connectivity campaign is aimed at raising £1.2m to help provide free internet to 100,000 disadvantaged households.

The appeal is part of the Laptops for Kids campaign, launched by technology entrepreneur David Richards and supported by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and a growing number of newspapers, businesses and local authorities.

To donate visit gofundme.com/f/cash-for-connectivity-laptops-for-kids