As well as several personal donations from the Cambridge area, many local companies have responded to the challenge issued by Simon Galbraith, CEO of Redgate Software, who pledged to match every pound donated to the appeal, up to £100,000, by tomorow (10 April).
These include donations from RealVNC, Microsoft Research, Pico Tech, ARM and Mills and Reeve Solicitors. Funding has also been received from the Computer Laboratory at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge Assessment.
The Centre plans to use the funds raised to complete the transformation of its main gallery and create a new core exhibition – Odyssey – which will chart the global impact of the computing revolution.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Andy Harter, founder and CEO of RealVNC, said: "The Centre for Computing History is an important initiative to preserve some of the vital history of the computer industry, which is so strongly linked with Cambridge.
"Equally important, through a diverse educational programme it is stimulating not just curiosity about the past but interest in today’s technology. This is all delivered in a fun, hands-on way that has something for everyone, and RealVNC is proud to be a founding sponsor of the Centre and to reaffirm our commitment with a further substantial donation which will enable significant development of the exhibition area.”
Events and Communications Manager at Microsoft Research, Natalya Butterworth said: "Microsoft Research is committed to supporting young people in computing education and the Centre is doing fantastic work in this area. We are extremely pleased to support the Tech Odyssey exhibition which will help to inspire the next generation of computer scientists.”
CCH Director, Jason Fitzpatrick, said: "We are deeply grateful to all those who have contributed to this appeal so far, making it a truly inspirational, Cambridge community effort.
"Since opening in Cambridge at the end of 2013, the Centre has attracted over 5,000 children. These children deserve a space which is engaging and instructive, where they can feel a sense of adventure, exploration and surprise!
"The generosity of all these wonderful benefactors will enable us to realise our vision and move forward towards the next stage of our development.”
Photo: From left to right, Trustee - Ian Williamson, Education Officer - Anjali Das, Sponsor - Andy Harter, RealVNC