BRAVE souls from across Torbay are being challenged to endure freezing Winter temperatures to sleep under the stars to raise money for young homeless people.

Staff at the YMCA South Devon's Nightstop service, which provides emergency, temporary accommodation for young people, are hoping that dozens of people will bed down for the night on our outdoor courts to raise funds.

Across the country all YMCA's are challenging their local residents to take part in the Sleep Easy event where by everyone will sleep anywhere but their own beds for one night only on Friday, March 10th, but most of the efforts locally are being concentrated on a sleep out in YMCA grounds Goodrington - Dartmouth Road.

Nightstop launched in Torbay over a year ago and we have provided over 200 bed nights placing them in a safe, caring environment in the home of trained volunteers. Before Nightstop started in the Bay, young homeless people (aged between 16 and 25 years) had very few options available to them.

Nightstop already runs in 30 towns and cities across the UK, but it is a first for Torbay.

Maria Goodwin, CEO Of YMCA South Devon said: We are calling on our community to support young homeless people struggling right now, to "sleep rough so they don't have to", to show them that we care, that we are there for them, and to highlight the overwhelming difference this can make to peoples lives.

There is a great atmosphere among those taking part in the event and we also have the chance to raise significant funds for a very worthwhile cause.