Teenagers James Newman and Damian Dodds are showing the true spirit of Christmas - by sleeping rough to support the homeless.

They were sparked into action after seeing down-and-outs camped in doorways as they did their Christmas shopping.

Tonight, they plan to sleep in cardboard boxes outside the Bystander pub at Wootton, near Abingdon, with a bucket for passers-by to make donations.

The boys, who both live in Watson Crescent, Wootton, were upset to see people huddled in doorways as they were shopping in Oxford.

The best friends decided to take action. James, 14, a pupil at Fitzharrys School, Abingdon, said: "There were homeless people literally in every doorway. We started talking about how awful it must be to wake up in a doorway in winter.

"When we got home I suggested we sleep rough. Damian agreed so we started making sponsorship forms."

Impressed villagers have already pledged hundreds of pounds.

Vicky Gough, manager of the Bystander, has agreed to let the boys sleep outside the pub.

James's mum Linda said: "I'm so proud. You hear so many stories about how young boys don't care about the community. Teenage boys can get up to so much. But this shows teenage boys can care. I think it's lovely that they are willing to give up their Christmas morning." Both boys are braving the cold weather, despite having colds.

James said: "We're not worried about freezing to death. We've never done anything like this before. I don't suppose many people would do something like this. Most people think we are mad."

Damian, 13, a pupil at Matthew Arnold School, Oxford, said: "I have told some friends. They don't believe I will do it, but I know I will."

The money the boys raise will go to Shelter, the charity which helps the homeless.

Story date: Friday 24 December

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.