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. With children having to share with multiple family members or sleep on the sofa or the floor, The Independent is seeking to provide as many beds as possible in time for Christmas.

Zarach, a national charity based in Leeds with hubs across the country, delivers beds and basics to children. Set up by a primary school teacher, its mission is to end child bed poverty, giving children the opportunity to engage in their education and the chance to break the cycle of deprivation. 

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. 

The Independent, the UK’s biggest quality digital news title, has long been committed to making change happen, and this Christmas it is putting commercial and editorial resources behind the appeal to promote it to audiences and help Zarach reach its goal. 

The publication will tell Zarach’s story and highlight the campaign to its readers and social media followers, as well as donating advertising inventory on The Independent, which attracts more than 20 million people in the UK each month.

Donations can be made by visiting the appeal page here or by scanning the QR code above. 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.” 

Andy Peers, Zarach CEO, said: “Zarach is thrilled to have The Independent supporting our Christmas appeal. With almost 900,000 children in the UK sleeping without a bed of their own, too many are attempting to sleep each night on cold floorboards, or sharing with parents and siblings. We know our appeal can make an immediate and long-lasting change to children across the country.”