Gleeson continues partnership with Children’s Bed Poverty Charity
Gleeson Homes is delighted to announce the continuation of its partnership with Zarach, The Children’s Bed Poverty charity, for a second year.
The charity was founded by deputy headteacher Bex Wilson in 2017, as a response to pupils at her school struggling during the day based on a poor night’s sleep and often because they didn’t have suitable sleeping conditions. The charity was set up to support families experiencing bed poverty by providing them with new beds and bedding items, following a referral from a schoolteacher or pastoral staff member.
Founded in Leeds, the charity currently operates in West Yorkshire, Tees Valley, Liverpool, Stockport, Romford and Doncaster, with plans to expand into new areas starting in 2026.
In 2025, Gleeson raised more than £70,000 to support Zarach’s vital work. These funds have played a crucial role in providing beds, bedding and essential resources to over 400 families in need, ensuring children have a comfortable place to sleep and, as a result, can make the most out of their school day.
Gleeson’s fundraising efforts in 2026 will build on last year’s success, with plans for more regional initiatives and another flagship charity gala in October. Every pound raised will help Zarach continue to deliver its life-changing services to young people and families who are facing difficult circumstances.
To kick off 2026, Gleeson has already started its support for Zarach, with the donation of its services, staff and time to fit out a new, accessible washroom and toilet in Zarach’s warehouse space in Leeds. This new facility will enable employees and volunteers to access shower facilities on-site, which is an important feature, as many Zarach colleagues and volunteers’ cycle to the warehouse.
Commenting on the washroom fit out, Mark Cohen, Head of Supply Chain & Logistics at Zarach, said:
“We began building an accessible toilet and shower room to improve our facilities for staff, volunteers and visitors. but were unexpectedly left with an incomplete build. During a visit to our warehouse late last year, the Gleeson team learned that our project had stalled and immediately committed to helping us bring it to completion. The practical hands-on help has been hugely beneficial to us and our volunteers.”
A&S Contractors, one of Gleeson’s trusted local partners, worked hand-in-hand with Gleeson to carry out the work free of charge.
“We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone at Gleeson Homes for their continued trust and generosity. Gleeson’s commitment to this partnership reflects a shared belief that every child deserves a safe, warm place to sleep and the chance to thrive at school. Zarach looks forward to building on this successful collaboration and achieving an even greater impact together.”
"Gleeson shares Zarach’s passion for supporting communities in need - especially children and their ability to learn and thrive at school. As a business committed to building affordable homes, we recognise that raising funds for Zarach to support the most vulnerable families in the areas where we operate is more important than ever. We’d also like to thank our local contractors, A&S, for recently donating their time and services to Zarach. We hope that our continued fundraising efforts throughout 2026 will make a tangible difference to even more families.”
Alongside building sustainable developments where communities can thrive, Gleeson supports the surrounding areas near its developments through a six-point community pledge. Find out more about Gleeson’s community engagement strategy here.
For more information about Zarach and how you can support their work, visit their webiste here.
