A local charity is set to host a 'Big Marathon Month' challenge this May to support children who do not have a bed of their own.

Emmaus North Staffs is encouraging people to take part by covering a minimum of 26.2 miles during the month to help raise funds for their 'Beds for Kids' campaign.

The challenge can be completed by running, walking cycling or swimming the distance and can be individually or in teams.

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, Paul Mcshane (Emmaus, charity trustee), Sonya Farrall (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.

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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 the Just Giving page here.

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