SOME 200 people have signed up to take part in Trinity Winchester’s Big Sleep Out on Friday May 11.

This will be the sixth Big Sleep Out in the city and the events have raised over £100,000 for homelessness charities.

The event is being hosted at Wolvesey, in the Bishop of Winchester’s gardens for the first time.

Lucy Tennant, events and community fundraiser at Trinity, said: “This is set to be the biggest sleep out yet, with over 200 people taking on the challenge of sleeping outside to raise money to support homeless and vulnerable people.

“We cannot begin to imagine the realities of sleeping rough - and this event does not intend to - but every penny raised through sponsorship will be put back into providing long term support for people who have no choice but to sleep outside night after night.”

As well as the challenge of sleeping out, there will be a free celebration evening between 7-10pm.

All are welcome to attend and listen to live music, enjoy meals from local caterers, and support those who are bedding down for the night. Sponsored by Rathbones, and supported by Hampshire county councillors Dominic Hiscock and Martin Tod, the Big Sleep Out offers the community a chance to come together to support a local charity. Wolvesey will be transformed for the night under the stars, as participants create cardboard shelters to sleep in.

To register, visit www.trinitywinchester.org.uk/bigsleepout.

Trinity Winchester works with people vulnerable to the effects of homelessness, domestic abuse, mental ill-health, addiction, poverty and social isolation. It costs approximately £500,000 a year to operate, and fundraising events such as the Big Sleep Out help to keep the services going.