Ex homeless man sleeps out to thank charity for their support

Dozens of volunteers slept out in Leicester last night (Thursday 21 March) to raise thousands of pounds for rough sleepers in the city.

Volunteers brought their sleeping bags along as they stayed out overnight for the Big Sleep Out.

One of the volunteers who took part, was a man named Steve who, until recently, was also homeless.

He decided to join in as a thank you to the charity that helped him get back on his feet.

He says his time as a rough sleepers was spent alone as he isolated himself. Steve says this was because he didn't want to get involved in the drugs and the alcohol as that would have brought him down.

He also added that being in housing now feels like he's 'on top of the world'.

The charity wants projects like the Big Sleep Out to help bring an end to homelessness.

The event raised more than £13,000 for rough sleepers in Leicester.