How The Independent's readers changed Christmas morning for this family

Karl*, 11, and his six-year-old brother are among 850 families who have received new beds as part of this year’s Independent-backed Christmas charity appeal This Christmas morning, the two boys will wake up in their very own beds – complete with brand-new mattresses and wearing brand-new pyjamas. They are among the 850 families who have received new beds as part of this year’s Independent-backed Christmas charity appeal. Writing in The Independent, former prime minister Gordon Brown said the charity highlighted the reality of poverty in the UK in 2023, adding: “It is a state of affairs I never thought I would see again in my lifetime. Generous readers of this publication have raised some £145,000 to purchase new sleeping spaces for some of the UK’s most disadvantaged children. And, by working with Leeds-based charity Zarach, the vast majority of those beds have now been delivered in time for today’s festivities. “It’s just made this the best Christmas ever,” said Karl’s** mother. “It’s such a weight off my mind. I was dreading going into the new year with those springs getting worse so this just really feels like Santa has visited.” *Names have been changed to protect identity Watch more videos on Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/editors-picks Click here to subscribe to The Independent: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: https://www.youtube.com/c/theindependent/videos Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline Follow The Independent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Independent Follow The Independent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust - https://www.independent.co.uk/donations Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB