Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield left a teacher in tears after they donated £5,000 of their own money to his performing arts school on Friday’s This Morning.
The show’s Dr Ranj was broadcasting live from the Catcote Academy in Hartlepool, a specialist school where all students have learning difficulties meaning they often struggle within a general state school environment.
Day-to-day the students grapple with communication and expressing themselves so the performing arts lessons are vital for developing their confidence.
Kind: Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield left a teacher in tears after they donated £5,000 of their own money to his performing arts school on Friday’s This Morning
However, Catcote has suffered government funding cuts and in a bid to raise funds for their performing art programme teacher Rick Kitson began sharing viral lipdub videos of the students and set up a Go Fund Me page in July 2018.
The fundraiser caught the attention of the ITV mid-morning stalwart after they revealed they still needed £3,500 to reach their target to buy equipment equipment, microphones and set hires for their productions.
The presenting duo, who finished up their ITV hosting duties for the summer on Friday’s show, were so overwhelmed by the work the educational institution do that they decided to gift them £5,000 of their own money between them.
Phil, 57, said: ‘We’ve got a surprise for everyone because as a gift to everyone, we’d like to make up the difference from This Morning the show and top up the funds to the £5000. If you have a look at your page, we’ve already done it.’
Tearing up: The school’s head of performing arts Rick Kitson was left in tears by the kind gesture
Delight: The presenting duo were so overwhelmed with emotion by the work they do that they decided to gift them £5,000 between them
As the school children cheered, Holly, 38, then said: ‘Just a little extra, Phil and I watching, we were so moved that between us we would like to put on another £5000 for the following year so that’s two years worth of funding because you’re just amazing.
‘Keep up the amazing work.’
The school’s head of performing arts Rick was left in tears by the kind gesture after the mid-morning stalwart donated £8,500 in total to the school.
The heartfelt moment comes as the hosting duo confirmed that Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford will replace them during their two-month break from This Morning.
Fundraiser: The school began sharing viral lipdub videos and set up a Go Fund Me page in July 2018 with the hopes of raising funds for the performing art programme
Incredible: The fundraiser caught the attention of the ITV mid-morning stalwart after they revealed they still needed £3,500 to reach their target
The news will also mark Ruth’s return to television following the death of her beloved sister Julia.
The pair are taking the rest of the summer off to spend time with their families; Holly with her husband Dan Baldwin and their three children Harry, 10, Belle, eight, and Chester, four.
While Phil will no doubt enjoy time with his wife Stephanie Lowe and their grown-up daughters Ruby, 23, and Molly, 26.
Holly and Phil made a special appearance on Friday’s show even though they don’t normally work Fridays to say goodbye.
Summer stint: The heartfelt moment comes as the hosting duo confirmed that Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford will replace them during their two-month break from This Morning
At the beginning of the show, Phil commented on their last day in studio for the summer and said: ‘It’s out last show before we go on our summer break… [Holly’s] head’s already on a lounger somewhere.
To which Holly added: ‘But don’t worry Eamonn and Ruth will be be here to take you right through until September.’
Husband-and-wife duo Eamonn and Ruth, who usually fill in for the presenting duo on Fridays, will front the show Monday to Thursday shows while the pair are off.
While Rochelle Humes and Mark Wright are tipped to cover the Friday slot following a successful appearance on last week’s show.
Tipped: While Rochelle Humes and Mark Wright are tipped to cover the Friday slot following a successful appearance on last week’s show