A campaign to raise money towards providing computers for children has now hit £61,200.
The amount raised from the appeal, launched in January by industry trainer Stephen Brown, has exceeded its original target of £50,000. The money will go towards providing children with computers, laptops and tablets to support their learning.
Brown set-up a Go Fund Me page, called Computers for Schools, in order to raise funds from people, including agents and estate industry suppliers, to help children struggling without a laptop or a desktop computer.
Sadly, Brown’s wife, Sam, recently passed away, and he says that he wants to carry on with the campaign to help children learn in her memory.
Brown said: “Sadly, my wife passed away three weeks ago, and I am determined to get more laptops and tablets to schools in Sam’s memory.
“As of today 486, laptops and tablets and 12 dongles have been delivered and or in dispatch to various schools in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland thanks to the generous donations from the property industry.
“Currently £61.200 has been donated. Despite children going back to school, there is still a desperate need for more.”
The appeal, which is supported by several well-known figures in the industry, including Christopher Watkin and Simon Whale, is making a difference. See the link and letter below:
Computers For Schools – Cardigan Bay Properties
Dear Mr Brown,
I am the assistant head teacher at The Brookfield School, a specialist setting for children with social, emotional and mental health needs. Our pupils have all been unable to cope in mainstream settings, many have had several managed moves to a number of schools and most have experienced periods of exclusion from school before coming to us. We offer a trauma informed approach and hold great store by engaging our children in as many different experiences as we can in order to build self-confidence and resilience. Two thirds of our children are categorised as disadvantaged and, of these, many do not have access to tablets or other devices at home. Your wonderfully kind donation of 5 tablets which the children can use in school but also borrow to use at home has been incredible and will most definitely make a difference for our pupils. Receiving a surprise call from Jonathan from Hereford Football Club at the beginning of this week to tell me that we had been allocated the 5 tablets was a fantastic surprise and I would like to say a huge thank you from myself, staff and pupils.
I understand from Jonathan that your wife was an avid Hereford United supporter and that you have raised money to be made available in the area in memory of her. I extend my condolences to you at this most difficult time and hope that the pleasure the boys got from the visit by the team manager and assistant manager the other day and their excitement over the tablets is of some comfort to you.
Thank you so much again, I hope the attached photo makes you smile.” Additional 10 donated as a result of this.
I cannot tell you how much the tablets are appreciated by these schools.
Thank you again Stephen for this incredible gesture. You are improving young lives in your wife’s memory. It is humbling to be part of this.
Kind regards
Kevin
This is a simply AMAZING initiative offering real practical help to those in need.
Well done Stephen and to everyone who is supporting this brilliant appeal.
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This is a fabulous initiative , well done Stephen . Please donate what you can. It would be nice if some of the big major suppliers could perhaps get involved to help publicise the cause as well as donate . You know who you are . Thanks again Stephen despite everything life has thrown at you recently you still find the time and courage to champion this great cause . X
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Stephen Brown is amazing
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Why is this story so low on the site.
It should be the top story.
A selfless campaign that has helped many all while he has had to contend with the loss of his wife.
The industry needs more good news stories like this.
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Agreed.
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This is a truly inspiring campaign – and Stephen Brown; an absolute champion of a leader!
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