NEXT Friday, scores of Swindon people will be turning their backs on their warm beds and spending a night in the freezing cold outside a local church.

But one of the people they are doing it for will meanwhile be tucking up in a warm bed in a hostel across town and dreaming of the day he never has to spend a night in the cold again.

Thirty-six-year-old Dan came to the Culvery Court hostel three months ago, after 20 years sleeping in car parks, bus shelters and shop doorways.

Disowned by his father and stepmother at the age of 16, Dan, who has asked not to be identified further, is one of a growing number of local people who come to Culvery Court because of a collapsed family relationship.

Last year the hostel looked after more than 200 people like Dan, but was also forced to turn away almost 500 requests for beds as the need for its services came under increasing strain.

And it is with this demand in mind that people with perfectly good homes and beds will be choosing to sleep rough for a night next week.

Every year, Threshold Housing Link, the charity which runs Culvery Court, holds a Sponsored Sleep Out in the grounds of Immanuel Church in Upham Road.

Some 35 people braved the December cold last year to raise £8,000 for the hostel, which every night provides a bed for 20 people like Dan.

This year, it needs £10,000 to keep all its services going, and says it is not too late for people to take part in the sponsored event.

Culvery Court does not just provide a warm bed for the night and a couple of hot meals, it also gives people like Dan the means to move into secure accomm- odation of their own.

Dan, who was seriously ill from the effects of 20 years of sleeping rough when he arrived at Culvery Court in August, has quickly recovered his health.

But the hostel has also got him benefit advice and put his name down for a home of his own something he admits he would never have been able to do himself when he was on the streets.

"The people at Culvery Court have been great to me," he says.

"With their help, I'm going to get my own place. I'll respect it and decorate it, and get a video and telly in.

"I don't recommend sleeping rough to anybody, and touch wood, I'm never going to do it again.

"It was making me ill, and I couldn't hack it any more when I came here, but I feel a lot better and happier now.

"I've got a roof over my head, a nice bed, two nice meals a day and I've always got money in my pocket now."

Next Friday's Sleep Out starts at around 9.30pm and continues until daybreak, when a cooked breakfast will be served.

Anyone who wants to take part can still get a sponsor form by telephoning Threshold Housing Link on Swindon 524661 or by e-mailing office@thl.org.uk