AROUND 100 people gave up their homes for a cold and wet night on the streets that has raised more than £15,000 for a Wirral charity helping the homeless and needy.

The Sleep Out on December 1 raised an amazing £15,764 for Charles Thompson's Mission in Birkenhead, beating the previous year's figure of £12,000.

People laid out their sleeping bags in the carpark of its premises in Hemingford Street. They were joined by Birkenhead boxer Sean 'Masher' Dodd.

Amy Stanley, a volunteer and fundraiser at the mission told the Globe: "As a charity who relies fully on donations, we are thrilled with this amount and it will make a huge difference to the work we are able to do.

"Sadly there are more and more people in need of our help but with the help of our local community we are able to continue to offer support and help to those who need it."

Wirral Globe:

Mission manager Bernie Frost (pictured, centre) with volunteers Amy Stanley and Julie Darling

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 (pictured, below), who first got involved 13 years ago as a volunteer and has been manager for five years.

Wirral Globe:

Speaking before the sleep-out took place, Bernie told the Globe: "This is nothing like sleeping rough but it gives people an insight into homelessness and the issues faced.

"At Thompson's Mission we work hard to make sure no one needs to sleep rough but there are still people who need our help."

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