Sleep Out being held at Norwich Cathedral by St Martins

St Martins is bringing its Sleep Out event back this month at Norwich Cathedral, where people aged 18 and over can spend the night on the cold, hard floor of the landmark's cloisters.

READ MORE: Damning study finds 86pc rise in homeless refugees across Norwich

The event will see participants brave the cold from 7.30pm until 6.30am, helping to raise funds for the Norwich-based homelessness charity.

Homelessness charity St Martins will be holding a Sleep Out event at Norwich Cathedral later this month (Image: Bill Smith)

With any 200 of St Martins' members supporting around 300 people at any given time, any money raised will benefit some of the most vulnerable in the Fine City.

READ MORE: Council blasted over 'inhumane' homelessness policy

The charity's chief executive, Dr Jan Sheldon, said: “The sleepout we are organising nowhere near replicates the danger and loneliness of sleeping on the streets – it provides perhaps a small glimpse into the physical discomfort of the lack of a warm bed. 

Dr Jan Sheldon, chief executive of St Martins (Image: Newsquest)

“Sleeping rough is a sign of real desperation; a clear indicator that something has gone seriously wrong in a person’s life.

"People doing this repeatedly suffer both physically and mentally.”

St Martins' last sleepout, in 2020, raised more than £8,000. The event returns on Friday, January 26. You can sign up on the charity's website.

St Martins woks to combat homelessness in the Norwich area (Image: Newsquest)