A North Staffordshire business leader has thrown his support behind a campaign to help children without a bed of their own – and other local businesses are being encouraged to do the same.
Emmaus North Staffs is taking part in Big Marathon Month, with participants asked to raise a minimum of £200 by running, walking, cycling or swimming 26.2 miles during May.
Money raised will go towards its Beds for Kids initiative which delivers bed bundles to children living in poverty, with demand for support continuing to rise.
Simon Lasota, director of the Newcastle-under-Lyme-based Lasota Group and iFix, has stepped forward to help the campaign after hearing about it at a business networking event.
He has committed to donating £200 a month for the next year to help fund bed bundles.
John Webbe, Executive Lead of Emmaus North Staffs, said: “The reason we started Beds for Kids a few years ago was because of a rise in demand our charity was receiving for children’s beds.
“Those numbers are not going down and we are seeing an increase of requests from other postcode areas now too.
“To receive support like Simon’s is really appreciated beyond words as we rely on all the support we can get.”
He added: “In 2026 alone we are going to be looking at £100,000 to supply at least 500 children’s bed bundles – and with numbers rising – it is a lot for our charity.
“We have decided to take part in the Big Marathon Month in May and it would be great to welcome others to join us.”
Simon said: “It is estimated by the charity, that there are around 9,000 children without a bed of their own in Stoke-on-Trent, and John and Emmaus North Staffs, have been doing great work in recent years to try and prevent local children from not having their own bed.
“I am one of nine children and when we were younger I never recall any of us being without a bed. We were not wealthy, but we did have a bed to sleep in at night and Beds for Kids really makes you think and realise just what you have got.”
For more information about Beds for Kids, or to get involved in Big Marathon Month, contact John Webbe on 01782 846111.
