‘Big Marathon Month’ challenge announced to support Beds for Kids
Emmaus North Staffs are set to host their own ‘Big Marathon Month’ challenge this May to support children who do not have a bed of their own.
Participants are encouraged to take part by covering a minimum of 26.2 miles during the month to help raise funds for the charity’s campaign – Beds for Kids.
The challenge can be completed by running, walking cycling or swimming the distance and can be individually or in teams.
(Image by Emmaus UK)
Funds raised will all go towards Beds for Kids and each person is required to raise a minimum of £200 – which is the cost of providing a brand new bed, mattress and bedding to a local child in Stoke-on-Trent.
John Webbe, Executive Lead for Emmaus North Staffs, said: “Big Marathon Month is something new which we are looking to do this year to help to support Beds for Kids – an initiative we launched back in 2022, to provide brand new bed kits to children who do not have a bed of their own.
“The statistics are quite staggering with around 9,000 children reported to not have a bed of their own in Stoke-on-Trent alone, therefore anything we can do to combat this is so important.”
John adds: “For someone to not have a bed to sleep in can have a serious impact on their mental health and well-being and while ‘Big Marathon Month’ will support funds, it also gives a physical and mental wellbeing boost at the same time by either going running or walking in the outdoors with family, friends or colleagues, or by swimming the distance.”
Emmaus North Staffs currently has a team of 5 participants. John Webbe Emmaus, charity trustee – Paul Mcshane, Sonya Farrall of BabaBaboon and supporter of the charity – Jason Farrall – will all be running the distance, while the charity’s chair of trustee’s Claire Sherlock Chair will be walking it. Each team member will be completing at least 26.2 miles each.
John said: “So far we have a team together who are either going to be running or walking the distance throughout May – which is great.
“If others would like to join us as we continue to support local children in Stoke-on-Trent we would ask them to either get in touch or perhaps even have their own team.”
To support Big Marathon Month for Emmaus North Staffs, participants are required to create a Just Giving fundraising page.
There is also the option to add to the challenge where teams could cover 262 miles between them, or multiply the 26.2 miles by any number.
For more information please visit https://www.justgiving.
