MORE than 40 people spent a night sleeping rough in aid of a shelter for homeless people.

The group braved cold and wet conditions outside The Snug coffee house on Market Street, Atherton, from 8pm on Saturday to 5am on Sunday.

It took place a week after homeless man Chris Conlin died on his 31st birthday after falling ill outside the William Hill betting shop on Bradshawgate in Leigh.

Warren said: “I think the death of Chris Conlin highlights that homelessness in our area is getting worse.

“It was quite late last year that we secured a venue for the homeless shelter and I hope that the sleep-out will help us raise awareness of this issue and lead to people getting in touch to help us find a new one.”

A fundraising page set up for the annual charity challenge has amassed £3,500 for the Atherton and Leigh Shelter for HoPe, with cash sponsors yet to be added to the total.

The charity is planning to provide emergency accommodation for people in need for the fourth successive winter.

But it needs a new base for the service, offered between January and April, and is appealing for anyone with a suitable building to get in touch.

Team leader Warren Done said: “It was a very wet and cold night and everyone was soaked through to the skin.”

To contact the shelter or make a donation for the sleep-out, visit mydonate.bt.com/events/sleepoutforhope17/448791