St Johns helps kids bed charity

St Johns Centre is supporting the Leeds bed poverty charity Zarach this New Year after raising more than £1,860 in cash and items in 2022 for the children the charity helps.

St Johns customers, staff and its retailers gave generously last year to enable Zarach to provide free bed bundles to children who need a new bed, mattress, duvet, pillow, sheets and pyjamas.

The staff and shops ran a series of events in 2022, including raising £600 in donations at its free Christmas grotto and a staff Christmas jumper day.

And staff, retailers and contractors donated more than £830 worth of cash and gifts which the St Johns team put into Christmas Eve boxes filled with treats and everyday essentials given to 30 children by Zarach.

Almost 3,000 bed bundles have been delivered by Zarach since 2018 and the charity, set up by primary school teacher Bex Wilson, receives up to 25 new referrals each week about children who struggle to get a good night’s sleep.

St Johns is continuing to fundraise for Zarach in 2023 along with Alzheimer’s Society, Leeds Mind and Leeds Baby Bank.

St Johns team members will volunteer with Zarach Healthy Holidays Club at Bridge Community Church during February half term.

Healthy Holidays ensures Zarach families can have fun, stay warm and get a hot meal during school holidays. The team will also be working with Zarach to help deliver bed bundles in February.

St Johns General Manager Andrew Stringer said: “I’m very proud of the work our team and retailers have carried out for Zarach. The generosity of our shoppers and everyone involved has been incredible in these difficult times.

“It is also so important that our team are giving up their time to volunteer and help Zarach with the work they do.

“Partnering with Leeds charities which work in our community has always been important to St Johns so we’re looking forward to working with them throughout the year.”

To find out more about or donate to Zarach: zarach.org