A charity working to end poverty provided hundreds of beds in the last year to Stoke-on-Trent children who do not have a bed of their own.

Emmaus North Staffs, based in New Hall Street in Hanley, launched the 'Beds for Kids' campaign in 2022, following demand for children's beds. 

In 2024 alone, more than 400 bed kits, comprised of a bed, mattress and bedding, were delivered to homes in Stoke-on-Trent.  

Executive lead at Emmaus North Staffs, John Webbe, said: "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.

"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. 

"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."

The North Staffordshire charity partnered with national child bed poverty charity, Zarach, in November 2023 with a joint mission to end child bed poverty in 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.

John added: "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.

In order to provide support via the 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 £225 raised through the campaign enables the charity to provide a complete brand new bed pack which is also delivered by the Emmaus who have a team of 10 staff and scores of dedicated volunteers.

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