Students got an insight into life without a warm bed to go to as they played their part in their own Centrepoint Sleep Out.

Seven generous students and six members of staff from The Skills Academy in Billingham turned their backs on their home comforts for a night sleeping “rough” to help raise awareness of homelessness in the UK.

“Our aim was to make the students think about those that are homeless and in particular the young people in our area with nowhere to call home,” said Academy manager Lorna McLean.

Faced with torrential rain and driving winds through the night, the Billingham students were fortunate to have the luxury of The Skills Academy to shelter in, unlike those who have no choice but to brave the elements.

“It does make you appreciate what you have,” said Health, Social Care and Childcare student Shannon Moore, 17.

Ross Beall, 16, who is studying Creative Arts and Media, said: “This is our way of raising awareness of homeless people and it shows that we can all help.”

Samuel Moore, 17, who is also studying Creative Arts and Media, added: “Most think that homeless people are adults, they don’t realise how many young people are living on the streets.”

According to Centrepoint, the UK’s leading charity for homeless young people, 83,000 young people experience homelessness every year. There are those that you see sleeping rough in parks, under bridges or in stairwells but there are thousands more who stay in temporary hostels or on the floors and sofas of friends.

Proud to see her students sacrifice their own beds for the night in a bid to help others, The Skills Academy manager Lorna said: “It is very important for people to appreciate what they have and for them to realise that others have it much worse.

“It’s also important for young people to realise that they can make a difference and they can raise awareness just by putting in a little time and effort.”

The Skills Academy students are still collecting for Centrepoint, to donate go to: www.justgiving.com/Lorna-McLean1/