We did it! Together, our colleagues have raised an incredible £18,907.31 for Zarach, and with our £15,000 match, that brings the total to a whopping £33,907.31! That’s money that will go directly towards getting children out of bed poverty and into warm, safe, and comfortable beds.
Our charity of the year partnership with Zarach has been an incredible journey, and it’s been amazing to see so many colleagues getting involved - from marathons and boxing matches to quizzes and coastal walks.
So, what does £33,907.31 actually mean for the families Zarach supports?
In short... it’s life-changing. This money will provide 213 bed bundles, lifting 287 children in Yorkshire out of bed poverty. Each bundle includes a brand-new bed frame and mattress, a duvet, pillow, bed sheets, and a pair of pyjamas. These are essentials that many of us take for granted but make a massive difference to a child’s well-being - as Zarach put it:
“We regularly receive feedback from schools sharing the immeasurable difference they've seen in their students since receiving their new bed. With a good night's sleep, children can remain engaged in their learning, build stronger friendships, and benefit from improved physical and cognitive health. Thank you, Yorkshire Housing and for volunteering with us too!”
Our fundraising highlights:
So how did our colleagues do it? A whole lot of effort, creativity, and teamwork! Some standout moments include:
- 31 colleagues taking on a 21-mile coastal walk from Scarborough to Whitby
- A festive story time with Santa for colleagues, friends, and family
- A quiz and raffle night
- A summer BBQ, community events, and even a white-collar boxing match
Here’s what some of our fundraising colleagues had to say:
Jack Hudson – white collar boxing event
"I trained for eight weeks before stepping into the ring, all to raise money and awareness for Zarach. Knowing we’ve made a difference to families struggling across Yorkshire makes every second of training worth it."
James Keep – Swarcliffe BBQ
"Raising money for Zarach at our annual BBQ was fantastic. They even joined us on the day, flipping burgers and chatting to the community about their incredible work!"
Alexis Durrant – coastal walk
"When I heard about Zarach, I thought about my own kids and how devastating it would be if I couldn’t provide them with a warm bed. That made walking 21 miles feel like nothing!"
Sophie Platt – story time with Santa
"This event was truly special - festive fun while raising money for a cause that aligns so well with what we stand for at Yorkshire Housing. Seeing colleagues and their families come together was heartwarming."
Every single person who took part, donated, or spread the word made this possible. Your efforts mean that hundreds of children will go to sleep in a bed of their own tonight... thank YOU!
And if you’re hearing about our charity of the year for the first time, here’s how it works:
Each year, Yorkshire Housing colleagues nominate and vote for a cause close to their hearts. We then spend the year planning events and challenges to raise as much as we can. Every penny makes a real difference in our local communities.
Keep an eye on our socials because we’ll soon be announcing who we’re fundraising for over the next year!