CHARITY CALLS FOR 2026 FUNDRAISING PLEDGES TO SUPPORT LOCAL CHILDREN WITHOUT A BED
A NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE charity is set to deliver more than 500 brand new beds to local children living in poverty by the end of the year.
Emmaus North Staffs has been providing brand new bed bundles – which include a bed, mattress and bedding – since 2022, following the launch of their Beds for Kids campaign.
Over the last three years approximately more than 1,000 bed bundles have been delivered to households predominantly in the Stoke-on-Trent postcodes.
This year the demand has continued to escalate and the charity is also seeing a rise in requests via their referral system, from families living in the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
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“Beds for Kids was introduced by our charity with the aim to support vulnerable local families,” says John Webbe, Executive Lead at Emmaus North Staffs.
“In the last few years the numbers of beds we have delivered have increased. In 2024 we delivered 400 bed bundles and this year it will be 500. The issue is not going away anytime soon and we anticipate we will deliver 550 children’s bed bundles in 2026.
“We estimate that there are around 9,000 children in Stoke-on-Trent who do not have a bed of their own – which is staggering. For a child not to have a bed of their own it can have such a negative impact and we have heard from parents how – after receiving a new bed bundle – they have seen how their child has started to flourish at school and to live a more happier life.”
John adds: “But, as we move forward into 2026, there is no doubt about it that we do need more support to help us to continue with Beds for Kids. Therefore, we are looking to introduce more fundraising activities and are looking for businesses – and members of the public – to join us in sharing their ideas on what they would like to take part in, which will in turn help us to support more local children.”
Previous fundraising activities by local businesses have included 10K runs, including earlier this year when Mark Holland, Director at Holland Construction went on to raise £6,500 for Beds for Kids after taking part in the Saucony London 10K.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Rotary Club supported the campaign via a charity golf day at Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club raising £1,000 and in previous years students at a local university have climbed Snowdon and taken part in 24-hour fitness challenges to support Beds for Kids.
For more information about Beds for Kids and to share fundraising suggestions with Emmaus North Staffs to support the campaign please contact John Webbe on 01782 846111.
Visit Emmaus North Staffs HERE
