Supporters endure freezing temperatures to raise over £20,000 at Rock Trust Sleep Out

Getting into the spirit of the event are Unite union student accommodation officers (clockwise from bottom) Libby Stephenson, Kerry Watson, Jennifer Finley and Sophie Bayliss

One hundred supporters of homelessness charity the Rock Trust slept out in Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square Gardens with nothing but cardboard and sleeping bags as temperatures dropped to 1˚C.

The charity’s 25th Sleep Out event was all to raise funds and awareness for their youth homelessness campaign and services across Scotland.

Before sleeping out supporters were entertained with circus performers, live music from Be Charlotte, and a bedtime story from Edinburgh writer Helen McClory, with hot food courtesy of Prime Street Food. In the morning they woke up to hot rolls and porridge from Roots Deli, Maialino Deli and Fox Caterers.

The Rock Trust has been holding a sleep out fundraiser with its supporters since 1993, and this year supporters have already raised over £20,000 with donations still coming in. The funds raised from this event go towards the charity’s front line services for young people in Edinburgh and the Lothians, including accommodation, crisis support, employability and health and well-being services.

Anyone wanting to support this year’s campaign can donate here: www.rocktrust.org/donate.

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