IT is a saddening sight.

Crouched in the corners of buildings or huddled in shop doorways, the reality of homelessness surrounds us as we stroll our cities streets.

Many of us will contemplate the circumstances that led the person to be sleeping on the pavements and, no doubt, feel helpless other than the gesture of a few coins or notes we can drop into the empty cups some brandish - others remain curled up against the cold early morning air minding their own business as we go about ours not wanting to disturb their sleep.

The fact that so many people are sleeping rough on the streets - often a victim of circumstance or situation - makes it all the more important to support those charities helping to put a roof over the homeless.

One of those charities, which for us is closer to home, is Bradford-based Inn Churches. This unique network launched its winter initiative back in 2009.

The following year it opened its doors for the first time to accommodate those who would otherwise be spending the harsh winter months on the streets.

The Inn Churches network comprises 16 host churches - among them The Light in Bradford, Shipley Baptist, St Aidan's, Church on the Way and Bolton Villas, who open their doors from the beginning of December to the end of March to provide bed, breakfast and an evening meal to those in need.

Around 1,400 bed spaces were provided for the homeless during last winter and demand for this essential service continues to grow.

Juli Thompson, chief executive of Inn Churches, explains there are many reasons for that growth including issues such as the reduction in housing benefit for the under 25s which may explain the number of younger people who are seeking help through the service.

"I think a lot of younger people are the ones that have fallen through the gap. The Government now has reduced housing benefit for the under 25s, they have taken the view they should stay at home with family which is great if they have a loving family," she says.

While Inn Churches receive referrals for 18 to 25 year olds, they don't take anyone under the age of 18, sign-posting them on to other specialist charities and organisations instead.

These include Bradford Nightstop, a charity which launched in 1993 providing emergency accommodation to homeless young people aged 16 to 25 in the homes of trained volunteers, and Centrepoint which provides accommodation for up to two years for the young homeless. The charity also offers health support and life skills encouraging them into education, training and employment.

Another concern for Juli, which could have an impact on the number of people sleeping on the streets, is the new Universal Credit benefit.

The aim of the benefit is to support those who are working; on a low income or if they are out of work.

Juli is concerned it could 'have a massive impact on vulnerable claimants.' She questions whether there is sufficient support for claimants transitioning to the new universal credit and fears there is a risk some vulnerable people will have difficulty accessing benefits because they don't know how to make a claim.

Of course, there are many more circumstances which lead people to sleeping rough on the streets, but what is known is the support doesn't come cheap and many charities, such as Inn Churches, rely on donations or their own fundraising initiatives to continue offering what is an essential service in Bradford.

Last year the charity hosted its fifth 'Suits on the Streets' - a fundraiser where business people and individuals are encouraged to experience spending a night out on the streets of Bradford to help profile the plight of the homeless while supporting Inn Churches in the process - and ran an online fundraising page on localgiving.org as part of the 'Grow Your Tenner' match-funding campaign.

Now in its sixth year 'Grow Your Tenner' has raised more than £6 million for local charities and community groups across the UK over the last five years.

Regular donations are particularly important to smaller charities, such as Inn Churches, who rely on funds to ensure their future survival.

Funding is earmarked for the winter shelter, providing essential items such as bed and bedding and, in some instances, it also contributes towards the food provided.

Success speaks for itself with many being able to move on from a life on the streets. "A good third of the people we see will get somewhere to live," says Juli.

To support Inn Churches or find out more about the work of Inn Churches and their winter shelter visit innchurches.co.uk or call 07833 450482 or 01274 955010.