Peterborough football stadium sleepout raises money for homeless

Temperatures dropped as low as 5C (41F) on Friday night

Almost 100 people have staged a sleepout to help raise money for people who are homeless.

Light Project Peterborough raised more than £25,000 after 97 people took to their sleeping bags in temperatures as low as 5C (41F) on Friday night.

The sleepout was supported by the Peterborough United Foundation and held in the club's stadium concourse.

Light Project Peterborough's operations manager Vaughn Williams described the event as "an enormous success".

He said many of them "commented on how difficult they found it sleeping rough".

"No doubt those taking part will share their experiences and help the awareness spread further and wider," he said.

The money raised would help the charity to "continue with its current projects as well as putting new initiatives in place".

Light Project Peterborough is a multi-purpose community charity and runs night shelters, among other initiatives.

Peterborough United's mascot, Mr Posh, stayed up late to support the event

Jamie Jones of the Peterborough United Foundation said it was delighted to support the sleepout for the first time.

"It's a way to show people, including me, what it would be like to sleep out on a fairly cold night," he said.

"I think it's really important that we raise that awareness, so people can get the sense of what's happening... and how difficult it is to be on the street."

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