HUNDREDS of people braved the downpours and blustery winds to join the Mayor for a sponsored sleep out in St Albans on Friday night.

The annual event, now in its 15th year, saw more than 360 people aged between nine and 65 sleep in St Albans Abbey precinct, allowing all participants to experience life as a homeless person forced to spend nights in the cold.

Money raised from the sleepout will be donated to six homeless charities across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, including Open Door in Bricket Road and Centre 33 in Spicer Street, St Albans.

Also getting their woolly mitts and ear muffs on for the occasion was St Albans Mayor Chris Oxley, his wife, and the deputy mayor, Councillor M Iqbal Zia, who took up that challenge with his son, Faisal.

Councillor Oxley said: ““A trip to Nepal and India earlier this year luckily prepared me and my wife for braving the weather and I also have a terrific Peruvian woollen hat which I was glad to have on the night.

“I salute the courage of everyone who took part, but found it especially encouraging to see how many young people wished to experience what it must be like to have to sleep rough, while helping to raise money. I also think it is wonderful to have an event where all faiths were able to join together to express their concern for the homeless.

“Many readers will have had the luxury of a warm bed that night. We experience for just one night the issues that so seriously affect the increasing number of homeless in our city and district due to the adverse economic climate."

Councillor Zia added: “I took part in this event with my son Faisal to get a small insight into what it must be like to be homeless especially at this time of year when the weather is bad, while raising funds for those who need it most.

"It was good to see participants of a mixture of ages, backgrounds and faiths all sparing a thought for someone who has less than they do, at this festive time of the year which can be especially hard on those with very little. I am encouraged by the fact that the number of participants has increased and hopefully the numbers will increase still further next year.

I must congratulate all who participated in this event, especially during the harsh weather after 3.30am when it became very cold and windy.”

Other dignataries taking part included Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning and Andrew Selous, MP for South West Beds.

Chair of the sleepout Brian Peyton said: “We have been promised £30,000 and each year we exceed what we are promised. I hope we might top last year’s £36,000. That will take the total raised by Sleepout to well over £300,000 since 1994.

“The event was good natured and jolly despite the rain.”

Any further donations can be made to Brian Peyton, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE.

There is still time to sponsor the Mayor by visiting mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk.