Leeds United player Patrick Bamford throws his support behind appeal to replace 40 stolen laptops set for deprived pupils by donating match shirt

The player has responded to a crowdfunding appeal by Leeds Tech Angels, which was launched this morning, following the theft of equipment overnight on Tuesday.

The GoFundMe appeal from Leeds Tech Angels has set a target of £10,000 that will hopefully replace some of the 40 devices taken in the raid that were worth £20,000.

Bamford says he will donate the shirt he wore in Leeds United's match against Crystal Palace where they won 2-0 and he scored his 100th goal of his career to date. Everyone who donates to the funding appeal will be entered into the draw and a winner will be selected at random.

Posting on his twitter account, the 27-year-old forward wrote: "We can all do something about this."

Within a couple of hours of the appeal being launched and Bamford's involvement, there had been more than 240 donations and by 1.45pm they stood at £2,230.

Making his donation, Jack Riach commented: "A great campaign. Well done to everyone involved, and to Patrick Bamford for making me aware of this."

Ed Dixon said: "Some money that I have can help other people that need it more and also I would like to have a chance to win that Patrick Bamford shirt for a birthday for my dad who’s a massive Leeds fan."

@Barney__21 said: "What a lovely man you are. Class on and off the pitch." Michael Asplen wrote: "Donated to a good cause. Brilliant idea and a great gift to say thank you. Keep it up." And, Leeds United fan, Chris Galton, donated from Canada.

Last month the Whites front man contacted Beeston Primary to ask about the support they needed to make remote learning possible for families struggling to access the necessary technology and donated £5,000 from his own pocket so the school can purchase 20 new iPads and loan them out to families. He then sent the school a video in which he encouraged children to try their best with their school work at home and emphasising the importance of exercise.

The laptops had been donated to Tech Angels and were waiting to be re-purposed so they could be given to deprived children across Leeds who are struggling to learn at home during lockdown because they don't have access to suitable equipment or WiFi.

However, staff at Unity Business Centre on Roundhay Road were gutted to arrive for work on Wednesday morning and discover the unit had been broken into and the equipment taken.

Donate to the appeal here