Mark gets set for mammoth 10K charity run
A Stoke-on-Trent businessman is to take on the biggest race of his life when he takes part in one of London’s most iconic running events to support local children who do not have a bed of their own.
Mark Holland has never run a 10K race before, but on Sunday 13 July, the Managing Director of Holland Construction, will be taking part in the Saucony London race, to raise funds for Beds for Kids – an initiative set up by charity Emmaus North Staffs in 2022.
All funds raised will help to provide brand new bed kits, bedding and a mattress which will be delivered by Emmaus North Staffs.
(Image Mark Holland. Supplied by Mark Holland)
“I have never really enjoyed running and have never taken part in a 10K race before,” says Mark, who first pulled on the running trainers during the COVID pandemic.
“It was during the pandemic when my niece encouraged me to take up some running as, at the time she was doing a ‘couch to 5k’ programme.
“I decided to give it a go and started to lose weight and then joined a running club and I actually found it very beneficial running with other people and I continued with it.
“But, now, to take part in a 10K race it is another challenge which I wanted to do for charity.”
The 60-year-old added: “I came across the Beds for Kids campaign by Emmaus North Staffs after seeing something in the news and I wanted to help.
“I wanted to support a local charity and after learning more about how many children throughout Stoke-on-Trent do not have their own bed – I could not believe it – so I reached out.
“No child should be without a bed and a proper night sleep is so important to young people.”
Mark’s training has been going well and he has been running twice a week ahead of the task of the Saucony London 10K – which takes a route past Westminster Bridge, The London Eye, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and Big Ben.
Mark has also set himself a target to raise £4,000 by running the London race. Discover more via his Just Giving link here – https://www.
John Webbe, Executive Lead of Emmaus North Staffs, said: “Mark is taking on a great challenge for Beds for Kids and we thank him for all of his support.
“Any 10K race can be a challenge and for Mark to head off to the capital for the Saucony London 10K is amazing.
“We started our Beds for Kids campaign because of the staggering number of children in Stoke-on-Trent who do not have a bed of their own.
“Numbers have not decreased since we started this, and figures are now showing around 9,000 children who do not have a bed they can call their own. Therefore any support we receive for this is very much appreciated by so many.”
Since 2022, more than 400 bed kits have been delivered by Emmaus North Staffs, who are based at New Hall Street, in Hanley where their large charity store is open to the public six days a week.
For more information about Emmaus North Staffs and Beds for Kids please visit https://emmaus.org.uk/
