A GROUP of hardy volunteers braved the cold and raised money and awareness of homelessness at a special Sleep Easy event this weekend.

Organised by the YMCA Dulverton Group and based at the YMCA in Bridgwater, the 30+ people taking part built their own shelters and slept on DIY beds made from cardboard for one night.

Overall their combined efforts raised more than £3,300 to help the YMCA’s work.

Among the participants were the mayor of Bridgwater Cllr Diogo Rodrigues, four of the Sedgemoor District Council housing advice team and various volunteers from across the county.

Cllr Rodrigues said: “It was a cold night, a very thought provoking experience, and I wouldn’t wish for anyone to be put in that situation.”

Bridgwater YMCA was one of many YMCAs nationally to put on sleep out events, staying out from 7pm on Friday night (March 29) through to 7am the following morning.

Jonica Walkinshaw director of training and education for YMCA Dulverton Group, said: “We’re delighted about the success of the event and I’d like to thank everyone who took part and spent the night out with us.

“This event really made all of us put things into perspective.

"It has reaffirmed the importance of the work we do within our communities, with the support and alongside all of our partners, such as Sedgemoor District Council and other external agencies, to support those who are homeless and do our best to get them into accommodation and provide them with opportunities.

“Thanks to the kindness of our supporters we can continue to support even more people than before and enable them to realise their potential.

Emma Dalling, one of the event’s organisers added: “Sleeping rough for a night was a life changing experience for me. You can never truly understand how difficult it is being young and homeless, unless you experience even a fraction of what it’s like sleeping out.

“It’s definitely taught me to appreciate the life I have more, because not everyone gets a chance to have a bed at night and that’s not right."