OXFORD’S Lord Mayor Mary Clarkson has pledged to spend a cold night in a churchyard to raise money and awareness for homelessness charities in the city.

Mrs Clarkson will be the third Lord Mayor to take part in the Oxford Sleepout, which has raised more than £200,000 for local charities working with homeless people since it was launched in 1996.

She said: “I’m feeling brave at the moment, but I think when the time comes I will be a bit fearful.

“However, it is an important event for people to take part in so I will be in the churchyard with my sleeping bag helping to raise vital funds.”

On Saturday, November 14, about 100 people will ditch their warm beds in favour of cardboard, blankets and sleeping bags in St Clement’s Churchyard, Marston Road.

In 2006, then Lord Mayor Jim Campbell joined the sleepers, as did Bob Price, now leader of Oxford City Council, the year before in his term of office.

Last year’s Lord Mayor, Susanna Pressel, paid £20 for the privilege of sleeping in her own bed.

Oxford Night Shelter chief executive Lesley Dewhurst said: “It really raises the profile of this traditional fundraising event.

“We are really pleased to get her support. We are really hoping to encourage an awful lot of people to think about giving up their warm, cosy beds to come and rough it out.”

Money raised goes to a host of different projects, including Emmaus, Break-through, Lucy Faithfull House, the Elmore Team, The Gap, The Gatehouse, Oxford Night Shelter, Simon House and Steppin’ Stone Centre, which do everything from providing food or basic household items, to beds for the night and jobs for homeless people.

Ms Dewhurst added: “The people who participate always say how much they really appreciated having their own stable lives and homes after they had slept out.

“You meet a few homeless people who come along to the event as well so generally people find it is a great learning experience.

“We get everything from school groups to elderly people who come every year, and rumour has it this year there will be a whole squadron coming from RAF Brize Norton.”

A fundraising event in advance of the sleepout will be held at The Isis, Iffley Lock, Oxford, on Saturday.

To donate to the Oxford Sleepout, please send cheques to: Oxford Sleep-Out c/o The Oxford Night Shelter, PO Box 177, Luther Street, Oxford, OX1 1SF.

To find out more about the event and how to take part, visit oxfordsleepout.moonfruit.com or email victoriasleepout@gmail.com