A Stoke-on-Trent businessman is set to take on his longest run yet to support children in the area who do not have a bed of their own.

Managing director of Holland Construction, Mark Holland, will be running the Saucony London 10k on Sunday (13 July) to raise money for Emmaus North Staffs, based in Hanley.

60-year-old Mark took up running during the pandemic and has never run a 10k before but he will be running to help Emmaus provide new bed kits, bedding and mattresses for children in the city who do not have a bed of their own.

The Beds for Kids campaign was set in 2022 with more than 400 bed kits delivered to families so far.

Mark said: "I have never really enjoyed running and have never taken part in a 10K race before.

"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.

"I came across the Beds for Kids campaign by Emmaus North Staffs after seeing something in the news and I wanted to help.

Hundreds of new beds have been delivered by Emmaus North Staffs to children since 2022. (Nub News)

"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 has been training for the event twice a week. The Saucony London 10k takes a route past Westminster Bridge, The London Eye, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and Big Ben.

John Webbe, executive lead of Emmaus North Staffs thanked Mark for taking on the challenge.

He added: "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."

Mark has already surpassed his target of £4,000 even before running the London race and you can find his Just Giving page here.