Today we launch The Independent’s Christmas campaign in support of Zarach with an urgent appeal to buy beds for children this Christmas. We are also announcing our partnership with Forest Live for 2024.
The Independent today announces that it is supporting the charity Zarach in an urgent appeal to buy beds for children this Christmas.
It is a crisis that has escalated significantly over the past six years, with the number of children without beds in the UK more than doubling, from 400,00 in 2017 to 894,000 in September 2023. The Independent is seeking to provide as many beds as possible in time for Christmas, to stop children from having to share with multiple family members or sleep on the floor.
Each of Zarach’s bed bundles costs £180, which includes a child’s bed and mattress, a duvet and pillow, bed linen, a hygiene kit, pyjamas, a reading book and a £30 supermarket voucher for a family Christmas meal. Once a donation has been received, Zarach can have the bed bundle with a child in need within just seven days, immediately changing lives.
Donations can be made by visiting the appeal page here. People can choose the amount they’d like to give, with every pound making a difference.
Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent, said: “The Independent is proud to support Zarach’s campaign. It is shocking that so many children do not have a bed to call their own, and it’s important to come together to help put that right.”
Find out more here.
The Independent is proud to announce that it is the official news partner of Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England.
Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams is the latest artist to join the bill, along with a joint-headline performance from guitar icon Johnny Marr and indie heroes The Charlatans.
The artists join a stunning string of performers already announced for Forest Live 2024 shows including: Sting, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Becky Hill, Anne-Marie, Tom Jones and Gregory Porter.
Forestry England uses the money Forest Live raises to maintain beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees. Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees, caring for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests sustainably and welcoming 291 million visits in 2022-23. Everyone in England lives within a one-hour drive of one of the nation’s forests. Over two million people have enjoyed the Forest Live gigs over the last twenty-three years.
Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and exclusive pre-sale access at forestlive.com. Pre-sale tickets will be available at 9am on Thursday 14 December before they go on general sale at 9am on Friday 15 December.
