A NEW initiative is urging Cumbrians to donate IT equipment for schoolchildren as it was revealed schools are short of over 1,000 laptops.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has asked businesses and individuals to donate laptops for schoolchildren who need them to access remote learning from home.

This morning, Cumbrian school leaders launched a new webpage where people can donate old IT equipment.

Cumbria’s schools say they need another 1500 laptops for children learning from home during the pandemic.

Mr Farron said: “The pandemic has had such a damaging effect on our young people’s education, especially those who struggle to learn because they simply don’t have access to decent IT equipment at home.

“I would really encourage anyone who has a spare laptop to donate it today.

“You could make a really positive difference to a child’s ability to learn and to their mental health and wellbeing.”

For more information on how to donate a laptop to a school in Cumbria, go to www.cumbria.gov.uk/laptopsforschools