THIS year’s 'Big Sleep Out' saw 150 people camp within the grounds of Winchester Cathedral and ditch their home comforts to support a charity’s homelessness services.

Trinity Winchester’s Big Sleep Out on Friday, May 12 raised more than £20,000 for the charity to help those experiencing the effects of homelessness and vulnerability.

Hampshire Chronicle: Trinity Winchester's Big Sleep Out 2023

The headline sponsors for the event were Charters Estate Agents and RBC Brewin Dolphin in addition to Draper Tools.

Winchester Acapella, Integrate Dance, Colin Bell, Five Shades of Grey and Bushcraft Embers put on a show of entertainment, while food was provided by Piecaramba, Hursley Butcher BBQ and Overdraft tacos before a night under the stars.

Hampshire Chronicle: Trinity Winchester's Big Sleep Out 2023

READ MORE: Trinity Winchester reveals sponsors for this year's Big Sleep Out

Hampshire Chronicle: Trinity Winchester's Big Sleep Out 2023

Among the visitors was the High Sheriff of Hampshire, Amelia Riviere and JM Finn’s Simon Tufnell.

Trinity’s chief executive, Sue McKenna, said: “This is my tenth year of sleeping out at this event, and it doesn’t get any easier. This is not an experience of being homeless, we cannot imagine the reality of sleeping rough as we will return to the comfort of our homes the following morning.

“Trinity is focused on preventing homelessness and ending the need to have to rough sleep. Thank you to all the participants for joining us for the evening and for raising an incredible £23,000 towards our vital work in the community.”

For more on the charity go to trinitywinchester.org.uk/.