A secret millionaire has donated more than £200,000 to help change the lives of some of Haringey's most needy residents.

Kevin Morley, the former managing director of car firm Rover, agreed to live in a bedsit in Northumberland Park, Tottenham, as part of Channel 4's show The Secret Millionaire, which aired last night.

Kevin is first shown sitting in a café reading a feature published by the Haringey Independent on homelessness in the borough.

He was appalled by the shocking figures which revealed 5,000 people lived in temporary accommodation.

The millionaire said: "I had no idea families lived in these conditions and the daily challenges they face."

Conditions can be dire — damp, overcrowded and flea-infested. And, often, families have no guarantee when a permanent home can be found.

During his stint in Tottenham's most deprived area, the real-life fairy godfather is followed by the cameras as he spends time with homeless charity Caris Haringey, in St Ann's Road.

The organisation was set up in 1990 and provides advice and support to homeless families to gain access to useful services that could improve their situation.

In the programme, the successful businessman also spends time with the Somerford Grove Adventure Playground, managed by the Haringey Play Association, whose ethos is to give children the freedom and space to play, especially in the inner city.

Both organisations believed they were being filmed as part of a documentary about the positive difference community groups made in areas of deprivation.

They were moved to tears when the undercover benefactor revealed his true identity before donating £150,000 to Caris, to be used as a deposit for a permanent building to house families in a safe and homely environment.

He also handed out an extra £10,000 towards home improvements for a single father, who along with his three three children, had just moved into their first permanent home.

Gloria Saffrey, Caris director, said: "We were absolutely stunned. This money will really go a long way in making some of our plans a reality.

"We do this job because we are passionate about it and for no other reason.

"When you’re so involved it is easy to forget the real impact you are having on people lives. For someone to come in and see what we do and be so moved by it was fantastic. It really meant so much.”

Kevin gave a further £75,000 to Somerford Grove, in Park Lane Close, Haringey, to help build a new swing and help cover staff salaries at the voluntary organisation.

Set up in 2005, the recreation ground boasts a mix of traditional equipment such as sandpits and large swings, but also includes an indoor area where young people get involved in activities like cookery or arts and crafts.