CHARITABLE youngsters braved the cold winter weather as they volunteered to sleep under the stars at the home of Grimsby Town FC.
Armed with cardboard to build shelters, graduates of Grimsby Town's National Citizen Service (NCS) scheme – a Government initiative to help 16 and 17 year-olds learn new skills – took up camp at Blundell Park in aid of two charities.
The event began after the final whistle of Grimsby Town's match against Wrexham on Friday night, helping raise money for St Andrew's Hospice and the homeless charity Doorstep.
Katherine Gooderham, 16, from Market Rasen, said it "opened her eyes".
"The situation really put things into perspective and made me realise that there are people who have no choice but to live on the streets," she said.
"This was not only about raising money but raising awareness of homelessness.
"I have never done something like that before and I would do it again for charity.
"It was fun to build our shelters, which helped to keep the cold out a bit.
"I got about an hour's sleep overall. By the morning, I was wearing four pairs of trousers, two jumpers, a coat, hat and gloves."
Hollie Nielsen, of Healing, had a rough night's sleep and said the event made her appreciate her own home.
The 18-year-old added: "You don't realise how good you have it until it's gone.
"There are people out on the streets tonight trying to find any shelter they can to stay warm.
"The sleepover was hard at times but I hope we have raised a lot of money for the two charities.
"I was surprised with how generous all the Grimsby Town fans were – they filled our buckets with money during half time."
