STUDENT BEN COMPLETES MAMMOTH CHALLENGE FOR CHARITY EMMAUS NORTH STAFFS
A UNIVERSITY student has completed a series of challenges to raise more than a thousand pounds for a local charity.
Medical student Ben Sutton, who is based at Keele University, slept rough for several nights during his week of challenges, took part in a dodgeball tournament and also cycled up and down Keele Hill, in Newcastle-under-Lyme for 24 hours to raise awareness for Emmaus North Staffs
The charity, who have a large store in the Potteries Centre as well as a Home & Furniture Charity Emporium in Etruria, work to tackle poverty, homelessness and social exclusion across North Staffordshire.
Ben said: “I wanted to raise not just funds, but awareness for a charity who provide life skills and life changes – and that’s what Emmaus North Staffs do.
“I heard about Emmaus North Staffs through a couple of people I know at university who had taken part in a work placement there. The charity do amazing things in the area and I really wanted to try and help to raise awareness as much as I could.”
Ben’s target of £400 on his Just Giving page was smashed by the time he completed the challenge on 12 April 2023. As of Wednesday 25 May, funds were at £1700.
The 28-year-old added: “A few of us slept outside a few nights during the week, which was done to try and create more of an understanding of what it is like sleeping out in the cold and having little sleep and it does affect you.
“The cycle challenge was tough, but I wanted to do something a little crazy and it was – and it was all worth it for the charity. In total I did 87 ascents of Keele Hill which worked out to be 174 miles and 5800m elevation.”
John Webbe, Executive Lead at Emmaus North Staffs, said: “Ben has done amazing and it was such a surprise when we found out he was doing this. We cannot thank him enough for raising awareness for our charity and thank everyone who donated.”
Details of Ben’s charity challenge can be found on his Just Giving Page – https://www.justgiving.com/
Ben, along with some friends from university, is now looking to hold a further fundraiser for Emmaus North Staffs.
Ben adds: “We are looking to hold our very own barn dance which we hope will raise even more awareness and funds for Emmaus North Staffs. We are just finalising details now for the event to hopefully take place in May.”
Each year Emmaus North Staffs partners with local councils and housing associations to offer free items to over 850 households without access to essential furniture and appliances. The charity are also working to have their own community based in Stoke-on-Trent.
