HUNDREDS OF BEDS DELIVERED TO CHILDREN IN STOKE-ON-TRENT THANKS TO INITIATIVE BY EMMAUS NORTH STAFFS
A NORTH Staffordshire charity – which works to end furniture poverty – has announced that it has provided tens of thousands of pounds worth of brand-new beds to children in 12 months.
Emmaus North Staffs, who are based in New Hall Street, in Hanley launched their ‘Beds for Kids’ campaign in 2022, following demand for children’s beds.
In 2024 alone, more than 400 bed kits, which is a brand-new bundle of bed, mattress and bedding were delivered to homes in Stoke-on-Trent and cost approximately £80,000.
Emmaus North Staffs also partnered with national child bed poverty charity Zarach in November 2023 with a joint mission to end child bed poverty in our communities. Zarach believe that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and, in partnership with Emmaus North Staffs, work with all 92 primary and secondary schools in and around Stoke-on-Trent.
“In the first few months of 2024 we had delivered 100 brand-new bed bundles and at the end of last year we were up to more than 400, which is an amazing achievement,” said Executive Lead at Emmaus North Staffs, John Webbe.
“The vast majority of which were in Stoke-on-Trent postcodes, and around 75% came from our partnership with Zarach with the remaining from our partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council.”
John adds: “Since we have been doing the campaign, the awareness of this issue has definitely grown and although we can help were we can, it really is quite heartbreaking when you think of how many children are without their own bed.
“From a report by national charity Barnardo’s, we believe there are up to 9,000 local children without their own bed – which is staggering.”
A spokesperson from Zarach added: “Our mission is to end child bed poverty. No child should be attempting to sleep, night after night, on cold hard floors, or sharing damp and mouldy mattresses.
“Since 2018 Zarach have delivered more than 12,000 beds to children up and down the country.
“We’re extremely proud of the partnership we’ve built with Emmaus North Staffs, and will continue to strive to meet the demand for our service, so that every child can go to sleep each night, warm, safe and comfortable ready for a great day in the classroom.”
In order to provide support via their Beds for Kids campaign, Emmaus North Staffs rely heavily on donations and sales from their charity ‘megastore’ in Hanley, which is open to the public six days a week.
Each bed bundle costs £199 and are also delivered by the charity who have a team of 10 staff and scores of dedicated volunteers.
In the last two years local businesses have also taken part in charity fundraisers including running a 10K race at Alton Towers, with funds all going towards the campaign.
