FIFTY people gave up their homes for a cold and wet night on the streets to raise funds for a Wirral charity helping the homeless and needy.

Organised by Charles Thompson's Mission in Birkenhead, the sleep out took place on Friday.

People laid out their sleeping bags in the carpark of its premises in Hemingford Street to sleep out in the cold in exchange for donations to the charity. They were joined by Birkenhead boxer Sean 'Masher' Dodd.

Amy Stanley, a volunteer and fundraiser at the mission told the Globe: "We spent 12 hours in the cold and rain giving us a small insight into what a homeless person has to go through every day.

"We hope to have raised a lot of money."

The mission was opened in 1892 by Charles Thompson. He died in 1903, but his goals lived on through daughter Annie who took over and was the charity's Lady Superintendent for 60 years.

She was awarded the MBE in 1953 for services to the people of Birkenhead.

The mission provides food, furniture, clothes, healthcare, counselling services and even toys for the borough's poorest children.

It is now run by Bernie Frost, who first got involved 12 years ago as a volunteer and has been manager for five years.

Praising the public’s support, Amy Stanley continued: “On behalf of the mission I want to a huge thank you to everybody who has donated and supported the sleep out and also donated items for our Christmas appeal.

“Every donation is massively appreciated and helps us to continue our work helping the homeless and other people within our local community.

"Our justgiving page for the event is still running for another week if anybody would like to donate and support us.

"To make a cash donation please ring the centre on 0151 647 7303 or post cheques to 2 Hemingford Street, Birkenhead, CH41 4AP."

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thompsonsmissionsleepout