Community fundraiser closes in on £5,000 target to buy Chromebooks for Seahouses pupils

Parent Karen Gardner set up a Go Fund Me page with the aim of raising £5,000 to buy Chromebooks to help children with their lockdown home schooling.

So far, £3,422 has been pledged online by 80 donors.

North Sunderland Parish Council and Beadnell Parish Council have also both donated a further £250.

"It’s nice to see the community, and people from further afield, giving so generously,” said Karen.

She set up the fund-raiser after becoming aware of how the school’s traditional income streams had been hit by the pandemic.

"It’s apparent how much the school relies on fundraising events and donations from parents and from the community. Obviously due to Covid this hasn’t been possible,” she wrote on the fund-raising page.

“Add to the mix homeschooling and the need for new technology, I would like to raise funds for Chromebooks for every student who attends the school. These can be used during the pandemic and will also benefit the kids when we all return to the classroom.”

The school has purchased and delivered 20 Chromebooks so far, with the aim for every pupil to have one.

Karen thanks Louise Trotter and the Seahouses Volunteer Group who have been making hand-made face masks.

“We’ve been selling them in Cubbies, the newsagent,” said Karen. “They’ve been great and have raised money from the sales to add to the fund.”

She added: “No matter how much, every donation helps us get closer to smashing that target.”

Beadnell councillors were fully supportive of the idea, although it means a departure from its usual donations policy.

Cllr Corrina Scott-Roy said: “When something like this comes along the pandemic doesn’t fit with our policy and I don’t think the children of the local area should suffer as a result of that. It’s important to be pragmatic and I think this is one of those times.”

Cllr Adrian Baker added: “There is a bit of urgency about this. I am aware there are nine children from Beadnell at the school and I think it would be good for us to make a donation.”

To donate, visit https://uk.gofundme.com/f/seahouses-primary-school-tech-fund

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