YORK schools, in a desperate race against time, face the crushing prospect of waving goodbye to a £1.15 million cash bonanza, education chiefs warned today.

The money has been offered to help York pay for a pioneering programme to equip its schools with state-of-the-art technology and furnish pupils with technical skills for the 21st century.

But the catch is that York has to find £100,000 itself by next week.

If the money cannot be raised, the Government will withdraw its offer of £400,000, and another £650,000, from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, will also be in jeopardy.

Chris Edwards, assistant director of education, said York was already half way there, having raised £50,000 from several national companies.

But unless local businesses chip in another £50,000 by next Friday, the whole scheme, the first of its kind in the country, faces the axe.

The Department for Education and Employment is insisting the council has the money, or at least firm pledges from sponsors, by March 6 before handing over the cash.

Mr Edwards said: "If we can't raise the money we will lose out on nearly half-a-million pounds of Government cash.

"We are writing to 5,000 employers asking them if they really afford not to help children improve key technical skills if York is to compete effectively in the 21st century.

"The Government doesn't think local authorities are capable of raising this kind of money, but we want to show them that we can.

"If each of the 5,000 businesses gave us just £100, that would do it."

The £1.15 million would see improved teaching materials for staff and pupils, with the possibility of more computers and the very latest information technology installed in the city's classrooms.

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation, set up by the supermarket family Sainsbury, has upped its initial offer of help from £450,000 to £650,000, but the whole lot depends in theory on York raising its share.

Any organisation able to help the council's dash for cash should contact Chris Edwards on 01904 554207.

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