Fr Richard Brown (assistant curate of The Ascension, Middlesbrough) and over 150 kind-hearted Teessiders gave up a night of home comforts to sleep on the streets of Middlesbrough. They slept rough for the fourth Big Tees Sleepout on Friday 21st November to raise awareness and funds for a range of homeless charities and foodbanks in Teesside.

Fr Richard raised £460 in two weeks of fundraising and it is hoped that over £17,000 has be raised to stock local foodbanks and give assistance to local homeless charities. It is not too late to donate and you can do so here.

Fr Richard said, 'It was wonderful to see so many people giving up a night of home comforts to spend a night sleeping rough on the streets of Middlesbrough in aid of such a worthwhile cause. I only participated in one night sleeping rough, many other people spend a lot longer living on the streets. This is something, as Christians, that we need to tackle. At this time of year, and as we approach Christmas, bear a thought for those who have nowhere to go, no one to turn to and who will be homeless on the streets as we sleep in our comfortable and warm beds."