Our partnership with Leeds-based children’s charity, Zarach

At Duvalay we’re always willing to support charities on both a national and local level, so back in 2020 when we found out about Leeds-based charity, Zarach, we were keen to help in every way we could.

For those who are unaware, Zarach’s core focus is to provide beds and basics to children living in poverty. This may sound incomprehensible to some, but there are a significant minority of children living in the Leeds city region who don’t have a bed to rest their head at night, or access to necessities that no child should have to go without.

As a local company who manufacturers mattresses, we knew we had the skills and resources to be able to help this wonderful charity. In the first instance, we made a donation of mattresses that could be delivered to children that were currently sleeping in their parents’ beds, on the sofa, or even worse, on the floor. Sleep is fundamental for children’s health, development, and learning, so having somewhere comfortable to sleep makes an instantaneous difference to a child’s life.

After the initial donation, Duvalay co-founder, Liz, was keen to support Zarach on a long-term basis. She decided that the best option was to provide a monthly supply of mattresses – a number at cost price and some free of charge. Families not only receive a mattress from the charity, but also bedding, pillows and duvets. By offering our products at cost, a bundle that is worth £500 costs just £150 to buy and provide.

Elizabeth Colleran, founder at Duvalay, says: “When I first read about Zarach in the newspaper, I was taken aback by the thought of children not having a bed to sleep on. I knew families had access to food banks that could help, but I never thought about items that most of us take for granted, such as a mattress or a bed.

“I knew we had the resources and skills to be able to help the charity, so we set about contacting charity founder, Bex, and building those relationships.

“While we now provide our product at cost, we still continue to donate several free mattresses per month to help alleviate some financial pressure from the charity.”

On top of the ongoing work we are doing with Zarach, we also want to raise extra funds to help ensure they can continue with the amazing work they do. In May, seven members of the Duvalay team will be taking on the Leeds Half Marathon for Zarach. This gives us further opportunity to fundraise and raise awareness for a charity that changes hundreds of families lives, every single year, and one that means so much to us here at Duvalay.

We urge anyone who can, to donate to Zarach and together we can help children living in poverty.