ORGANISERS of a charity sleep out event in support of homeless young people in the city are hoping to raise even more money than they did at the inaugural event last year.

Around 100 people braved the cold weather in November to sleep out in The Provident Stadium, Odsal, the home to the Bradford Bulls, with many of the players taking part.

Just over £10,000 was raised for Centrepoint, which organised the Sleep Out, and organisers are hopeful of more this time round.

Centrepoint, whose Bradford base is in West Bowling, works with more than 300 homeless 16 to 25-year-olds in the Bradford district. It aims to support every young person that enters its accommodation into their own home and a job.

Bradford labelling firm Watermill Press has signed up to be the main sponsor of the charity event, which means the registration fee for participants has been reduced to £20 per person.

Regional fundraising manager for Centrepoint Faye Edmondson said: “We’re delighted to have Watermill Press on board as our main sponsor. Their support has enabled us to reduce the cost of registration to just £20 per person this year.

“We hope this new, lower registration cost will encourage more people from Bradford and the surrounding areas to come and experience this unique event.

"Shockingly we receive between eight to ten new referrals each week from homeless young people needing support and accommodation in the Bradford area.

"We rely on the support of the local community and business network to raise the funds we need to provide the vital services that ensure young people are able to live independent futures.

"Centrepoint’s annual Sleep Out event is one of the ways we raise those vital funds.

"Participants are asked to swop their bed for a sleeping bag and spend the night sleeping in the stands at the ground.

"While Sleep Out doesn’t replicate what it’s like to be homelessness, it does give you a better idea of some of the challenges faced by the nearly 20 per cent of our young people who have been forced to sleep rough in Bradford."

Watermill Press managing director Dale Deacon was the top fundraiser in last year's event.

He said: "It’s a pleasure to continue supporting our local community and to do what we can to try and help these vulnerable young people to build a better future.

"Having taken part in last year’s event, I would definitely recommend some thick sheets of cardboard and a decent sleeping bag."

This year's Sleep Out is taking place on November 12 at The Provident Stadium. E-mail: f.edmondson@centrepoint.org if you would like to take part.