Sleep-out raises £14.5k for homeless charity

A group of volunteers who spent the night sleeping in a car park to highlight homelessness have raised more than £14,000 for charity.

Ninety-six people bedded down in the Freshney Place car park in Grimsby on Friday as part of this years' Great Grimsby Sleep Out.

The money raised will go to Harbour Place, a charity providing facilities for rough sleepers in the area.

Harbour Place said the fundraiser was "really vital" at this time of year and thanked everyone who donated or took part.

Speaking ahead of the event Andrew Brown from Harbour Place said the volunteers would be cold but safe.

"Sadly, those who were sleeping rough out in the town really tonight haven't got that comfort of safety," he said.

"We can all get up tomorrow morning and go home to our to our nice homes and have a warm bath or shower."

Harbour Place provides a day centre with short-stay rooms for people who have been rough sleeping in North East Lincolnshire. The centre also enables homeless people to have a shower, a hot meal, and get clean clothes.

This year, North East Lincolnshire council had a team of 10 who joined the sleep out.

Councillor Stewart Swinburn urged anyone facing homelessness to contact the council.

"As soon as you find out that you may be facing eviction or the loss of your home, contact the Council's Home Options team," he said.

"This will give them some time to start to consider your case and search for alternative accommodation or get in touch with your landlord to arrange an extension to your contract."

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