BRADFORD Bulls legend Robbie Hunter-Paul has urged people in the city to join a sleep-out in aid of homeless youngsters.

The former rugby league star was yesterday at the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint's Bradford Foyer to help launch the annual fundraising event and meet young people who have slept rough.

The Sleep Out, which is also in aid of the Bradford Bulls Foundation, sees members of the public and Bulls players and management bed down under the stars at at Odsal Stadium.

Money raised by the event will be divided equally between Centrepoint, which works with more than 300 vulnerable 16 to 25-year-olds in the Bradford area, and the Bulls Foundation, which uses sport to educate, motivate and inspire the local community with sport and education.

"I think it is a great cause," said Mr Hunter-Paul, who is chief executive at the Bulls.

"As a hub of the community, we have a responsibility to play our part in many different facets.

"The fun thing about the Sleep Out is it is supported by the players. It is a humbling experience for the players and myself. Some people don't always have the same support network we get as professional athletes and that normal people get in everyday life.

"Where we can help out, we should."

The Sleep Out is on Thursday, November 12.

"When people sleep rough they have to get up and get about their day.

"After doing the Sleep Out, the players will be training the next day, I will come into the office and other people will go about their day.

"It is not just about sleeping in a bag on a piece of cardboard. It is also about experiencing a small piece of hardship that some people in our community experience, and raising awareness and funds," Mr Hunter-Paul said.

"We urge as many people as possible to take part.

"It is all done in good humour and it is great that so many people come from different parts of the community for it. We all come together for a good cause."

Mr Hunter-Paul also had a tour of Centrepoint's hostel before hitting its new gym with young people who have experienced sleeping rough.

People can Sign up for the Sleep Out, which also has events in 11 other UK cities, online by visiting www.sleep-out.org.uk. Registration is £20 and participants are encouraged to raise £200.

Centrepoint runs all of the youth homelessness provision in Bradford and provides 100 beds of hostel accommodation in the city, as well as more than 200 beds in independent accommodation.