Scout teams in Dover district will join thousands of other in Kent in a mass outdoor sleep to tackle homelessness.

It is to raise money for the charity Porchlight, which has a base in Leyburne Road, Dover.

Members of Deal, Walmer, Sandwich and District Scouts will carry out their sponsored sleep out at the Sir Roger Manwood's School car park in Sandwich for 12 hours from 8pm on Friday, October 12.

Dover District Scouts are expected to do this on the same night on the grounds of the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Dover.

The Kent Scouts Big Cardboard Sleep Out takes place in a total 22 places throughout the county.

It will be just two days after World Homelessness Day and will involve 2,500 to 3,500 beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers.

Participants will be sheltered only by cardboard boxes so they can feel what those sleeping rough have to go through every night.

Porchlight has had to help five times the amount of rough sleepers in Kent over five years.

Last year the figure was 834 compared with 148 in 2013.

Rachel van Hoven, from the charity, said: “Despite our best efforts, homelessness will still affect future generations.

“One day, these beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers will be people that can make a difference. We want them to grow up understanding the struggles faced by people who are homeless and knowing that they have the ability to change these people’s lives.

“Also, the money that they’ll raise by taking part in the Kent Scouts Big Cardboard Sleep Out will allow us to continue running life-saving service for people who are living on the streets right now.”

Kent Scouts county commissioner Dean Harding said: “Homelessness can happen to almost anyone and the Sleep Out will help to raise awareness about this important topic and provide funds for the work Porchlight do.

“Scouting in Kent provides boys and girls with skills for life and also aims to have a positive impact on our local community. I am proud of the way our young people have taken up this challenge.”

Kent Scouts is the second biggest scouting group in the UK.

It now has 23,960 members, 17,481 young people and 6,479 adult volunteers.

For more information about the Kent Scouts Big Cardboard Sleep Out, including how to sponsor your local Scout group,, go online to porchlight.org.uk/ksso