One-in-four school children in Tower Hamlets (approx. 10,000 students) are digitally disadvantaged; unable to access online learning because they have no device of their own, no connection to the internet, or both.

Theres a real danger that this disadvantage will translate in the long-term to an education and opportunity gap between the richest and poorest children in Tower Hamlets, and across the country.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets, working with the Tower Hamlets Education Partnership are looking to raise £1 million to buy devices, which can be distributed through local schools to children in need. With support from Community Fibre, its hoped every school child in the borough can get both the kit and the connectivity they need to access online learning.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs said: Every day of learning lost is a barrier to success for local children. Im pleased to launch Every Child Online which is putting opportunity back into those households that are digitally disadvantaged. Getting children online and in control of their learning is an essential step towards helping them to realise their potential.

The council has pledged £50,000 to the total already, in addition to a donation of 250 re-purposed laptops. Read more on the Tower Hamlets website www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/everychildonline

Our schools have also received donations of £54,417 from the Livery Schools Trust. In addition, Hill's - a contractor for Poplar Harca housing association - has donated £15,000 for laptops. JB Riney, a local civil engineering company, has generously donated £5,000 to the campaign.

Tower Hamlets Education Partnership has contributed £58,500 through a combination of corporate and personal donations received.

If you would like to discuss any larger donations, of money or devices, please contact everychildonline@towerhamlets.gov.uk

If you would like to raise awareness of the campaign, we would encourage you to share the following message through your own channels:

One-in-four children in Tower Hamlets is digitally disadvantaged with no access to online learning. If we don't act now, this will lead to a long-term education and opportunity gap between those with access and those without. Help us get #EveryChildOnline https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/everychildonline