SEVENTY Hampshire residents will abandon their warm beds to sleep outside to raise money for the homeless.

This Friday Southampton homelessness charity, the Society of St James is hosting its annual sleep out.

The event, hopes to raise awareness and funds for the 83,000 young people in the UK who have no safe place to sleep at night.

The evening is an event of two halves, with food being donated and served by the Southampton Sikh Seva and Domino’s pizza alongside music acts Bob Pearce, Southampton Ukulele Jam, Denyzen, The Real Raj, JB Raw, Dan O’Farrell and Sean McGowan.

Then attendees will climb into their sleeping bags and brave the cold autumn night in the grounds of St Mary’s church.

Community support and fundraising officer of the charity, Sam Bax, sayid; “By taking part in this challenge individuals, groups and businesses are able to show their support for young people facing homelessness in our local community and can really help to make a difference in their lives.

“Sleep Out does not claim to replicate homelessness in any way, but aims to raise awareness and funds to enable young people under our care to build brighter futures.

“All sponsorship raised at this event will help us to continue to provide support services for these vulnerable young people; providing skills and education based training to help them exit the damaging cycle of homelessness for good.”

People who are interested in participating can still register for £10 per person.

All participants must commit to aiming to raise £250 in sponsorship, however the funds can be collected up until the end of the year.

For those who cannot sleep out but would like to come and enjoy the entertainment, tickets can be purchased for £5 for the evening that begins at 7pm, with all proceeds going towards supporting homeless people in the city.

For more information and to register visit: hssj.org.uk/sleepout-2016/