A RECORD £20,000 was raised when homelessness charity Doorway held its most successful SleepOut ever in Chippenham.

More than 60 people signed up to bed down under cardboard and tarpaulins on March 25, which turned out to be one of the wettest in recent weeks.

And the cold and miserable weather gave them a better understanding of what it means to sleep rough.

Their spirits were kept up by Chippenham’s Rock Choir and ukelele band Junction 17 in the evening, followed by a talk from Brian Tubb, one of Doorway’s long-term guests who has recently recovered from homelessness.

Food was provided by Nourishers, and bacon butties came in from Gregg’s in the morning. Melksham’s Light Fantastic provided festoon lighting.

Doorway chef executive Jo Kitching said: “We cannot imagine the realities of sleeping rough every night. We returned to the comfort of our homes the following morning, which is not an option for many people. This event is an interesting way to raise vital funds, whilst spending a challenging night at the mercy of the elements.”

Over £20,000 has been raised so far and there's more to come from housebuilder Barratt Homes whose director Rob Hart who took part. “The experience made me realise just how much we all take for granted: a daily shower, clean clothes, being able to afford and charge a mobile phone without thought," he said.

"I also thought a lot about how helpless and vulnerable you must feel sleeping rough, with the threat of violence, theft of your possessions, or being moved on and the unknown mental health pressure this must bear on the individual. Whilst I was surrounded by others, many people spend night after night alone. Being March, I felt the cold and damp but can imagine that it cannot be any easier in the summer months given the heat, which I feel can be easily over looked. Spending just one night sleeping rough has made me appreciate how privileged my life is and I would urge everyone to think hard about the challenges of being homeless and what we can all do to help address this issue, however small.”

There’s still time to support the campaign at justgiving.com/campaign/DoorwaySleepout2023