ORGANISERS of this year's Sleepout event were delighted at the turn out.

Around 35 people showed up to spend a night sleeping in a church car park to highlight the plight of homeless people who sleep on the streets every night.

The other main aim of the event, which was organised by Threshold Housing Link, was to raise money to help the housing association in its work providing places for homeless people to stay.

And volunteers did their best to help the cause, raising nearly £5,000 which will help Threshold provide accommodation for homeless people in the Swindon area.

But raising the money was no easy task.

Volunteers started to arrive at Immanuel Church, Upham Road, at 9.30pm last Friday, and by 10pm the car park was full of people, arming themselves with pieces of cardboard and extra blankets, preparing for the night ahead.

Volunteers admitted that their one night in the cold could never compare to the reality of what many homeless people face night after night in the streets during the cold winter months.

But Threshold Housing Link hotel and resources manager Phil Smith said that sleeping outside is something people would not choose to do.

He said: "Sleeping out in December is not a pleasant experience, even with the camaraderie and support of other sleepers.

"And it can never recreate the isolation and desperation felt by those who do so on a regular basis."

With encouraging visits from MPs Michael Wills and Julia Drown, the volunteers were blessed with weather which was not bitterly cold, although there was some light rainfall at one point.

Packing up on Saturday morning, the volunteers were given breakfast before they returned to the comfort of their homes.

One of the people taking part, Alison Lowe, said: "I'm glad I did it, but after wards I was very tired.

"I think it brought it home to me just how terrible it must be for people who are genuinely homeless."