Charity hosts sleep out for homelessness awareness

A charity has hosted a Big Sleep Out to raise awareness of people sleeping rough on the streets of East Sussex.

Clock Tower Sanctuary, which is based in Brighton, had around 60 people participate, sleeping on the deck of the i360 in the city centre.

The sleep out took place overnight on 9-10 December, finishing at 06:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Brighton-based comedian Suzi Ruffell took part and told BBC Radio Sussex: "It was very rainy and wet overnight but the whole time I was thinking about the people who don't have the luxuries we have."

The charity said about 17% of its clients were currently rough sleeping.

Ms Ruffell added: "It wasn't great when my socks and feet were wet and that made my sleeping bag wet.

"But we have raised an awful lot of money for people that need it."

Fabia Bates, CEO of the Clock Tower Sanctuary, said the night was "amazing".

"We had a record turnout for this sleep out, which is excellent," she said.

"It was raining on and off throughout the night. But, we didn't have to do it during Storm Darragh - some people had no choice.

"That brings it home a little bit."

The charity said that the sleep out had raised just under £40,000 so far.

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