BRAVE volunteers spent a night ‘sleeping rough’ to raise cash and awareness for homeless people.

The group of 20 settled down for the night in cold and uncomfortable settings on Friday, to give them an idea of what it is like to sleep on the streets.

The volunteers helped to raise more than £5,500 for Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme — which supports young people who would otherwise face life on the streets.

Maura Jackson, BYPHS chief executive officer, said the discomfort the group experienced was just a fraction of the reality facing Bolton’s homeless young people every day.

She said: “I think some people turned up thinking it was going to be a bit of fun and quite easy but this is only a small insight into the discomfort.

“Last year between 4am and 6am we were absolutely freezing cold and it was awful, so once they make it through the night they’ll feel a massive sense of achievement.

“It’s unimaginable to think that’s how some people live their lives every day and we will do what we can to help them out.

“It’s criminal that in this day in age anyone should have to sleep outdoors without a roof over their head.”

It is the second time BYPHS has held a sleep-out behind the Bolton at Home offices in Waters Meeting Road, to spread the word about the charity’s vital work in providing supported accommodation for homeless young people.

Alicia Flanagan, who has been supported by the charity since she became homeless at the age of 17, also joined the group for the night.

The 19-year-old now lives in staffed accommodation provided by the charity and said: “I’m living in the Lucas Project accommodation which has 24-hour security and staff available on site.

“They help us with applying for benefits, jobs, college and university placements and they’re extremely supportive.

“There are a lot of people who have come from difficult backgrounds who may need help in learning to cook and clean and they are always on hand to teach.

“I’ve lived there since I was 17 so it’s sort of become a home to me. I struggle with my mental health but since coming here I feel a lot better.

“The staff are there 24/7 so if I ever need to speak, I can just knock on the office door and someone will be there to talk to.

“The work they do is amazing so I’ve done the sleep-out to give something back and say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me.

“I’ve managed to apply for a place at university in Liverpool to study arts so I’m hopeful that I’ll get in and start in September.

“If it wasn’t for BYPHS then I don’t think I would be in the position I am now.”

The money raised will go towards supporting 16 to 17-year-olds on the scheme living in emergency accommodation.

For more information about BYPHS, call 01204 520183 or email mail@byphs.org.uk.