AS temperatures plummet, homeless charities Homeless Oxfordshire and Aspire are launching a sleepout to raise vital funds to combat rough sleeping.

The event, the city’s only mass participation sleepout, will take place on Saturday, March 16 at Linacre College in Oxford.

The funds raised will build on the £76,000 raised by the Oxford Mail-backed Christmas Match Fund, in which Oxfordshire Community Foundation matched donations to nine homelessness agencies via Oxford Poverty Action Trust.

Now Aspire Oxford and Homeless Oxfordshire are encouraging people to take part in Sleep Out! 2019 to raise more money to help the organisations combat rough sleeping.

The latest city council figures in November revealed an estimate showing 94 people were sleeping rough in the city, up on the previous estimate of 89.

Those taking part in the sleepout will swap the warmth of their beds for a night outside with only a roll mat and sleeping bag.

READ AGAIN: How the Christmas Match Fund raised thousands for rough sleepers

Jo Faulkner-Harvey, head of fundraising at Homeless Oxfordshire, said: “We are extremely excited to bring our sleepout event back into the city.

“A huge thank you to all at Linacre College for agreeing to host the event. Come and join us to help fight homelessness, fund vital support services and be part of the solution.”

During the sleepout people who have experienced homelessness will tell their stories and there will also be music and food. In previous years organisers have aimed to raise up to £30,000.

Homeless Oxfordshire and employment charity Aspire Oxford work with hundreds of vulnerable adults each year.

Helen Mariner, spokeswoman for Aspire Oxford, said: “We’re delighted to launch our Sleep Out! 2019 event.

“There’s never been a more crucial time to hold this event – hundreds of people across Oxfordshire are homeless right now and many more are at serious risk of becoming homeless. By taking part in our sponsored sleepout, you really will be making a lasting difference.

“There’s a limited number of places available so we’d recommend signing up as soon as possible, and we look forward to seeing you there!”

Since the beginning of the month 12 churches in Oxford have been taking turns to shelter 20 rough sleepers a night. The city council has been providing extra accommodation under its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). Extra bed spaces were made available from Thursday. SWEP beds normally open the first night of a period when the Met Office forecasts that overnight temperatures will drop to zero or below. Tickets cost from £20 and about 200 people are expected to take part.

To find out more and sign up visit homelessoxfordshire.uk/support-us/sleepout