SIXTEEN adults and children braved the winter weather and slept out on a damp and chilly night to raise money for charity. The sleep-out in the bus shelter in Market Place, Biggleswade, on Saturday night raised £1,500 for homeless young people in Bedford.

SIXTEEN adults and children braved the winter weather and slept out on a damp and chilly night to raise money for charity.

The sleep-out in the bus shelter in Market Place, Biggleswade, on Saturday night raised £1,500 for homeless young people in Bedford.

The idea for the night under the stars was dreamed up by Sandy resident Ken Lynch.

As the group snuggled down they had several visits including one from Mid Beds MP Nadine Dorries, who made a donation, and MP for North East Beds Alistair Burt and his wife Eve who provided a glow for everyone with hot soup.

Other visitors during the night included Biggleswade mayor Cllr Wendy Smith, the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Mrs Angela Farnborough, the chairman of Bedfordshire County Council Cllr Richard Baker and Richard Holden chair of Champions of Youth in Mid Beds.

Mr Lynch, 68, who was the oldest of the group to sleep out and raised £105, said: "It went very well and we raised more than we planned.

"The police were marvellous and regularly patrolled the area. It was chilly and damp but we all came through the night pleased we had done it."

Top fund raiser for the night was dad Paul Atherton who collected over £500 while Jake Wilson, 10, of Henlow Middle School, raised £225 and Jack Hewlett, six, a pupil at Lawnside School, Biggleswade, collected £160.

Members of the public passing the bus stop also supported the event by chipping £75 into the bucket in loose change.