A man who slept rough during some of the coldest nights this winter has almost tripled his target for teen cancer girl Kelly Turner.

John Ashman, 50, from Dover, spent the night doorways for seven nights, finishing last Saturday morning .

He aimed for £5,000 but ended up reaping £14,000 by yesterday evening.

Kelly afterward described him as “amazing” and her dad Martin told the Mercury: “John Ashman’s our hero.”

Mr Ashman told the Mercury: “It is £14,000 and counting. I couldn’t dream of it getting any better. I was actually worried about whether I would reach the £5,000.”

The money was raised both through a JustGiving page and collection buckets.

Mr Ashman will try other fundraising efforts.

He started and ended his sleep-outs in Dover town centre but in between stayed on the pavement in Folkestone, Canterbury, Margate and Ramsgate.

At times he had to suffer night temperatures as low as -6C but tried to keep warm with six layers of clothing and two sleeping bags.

Kelly, 16, of Dover, needs to raise £1 million for treatment in the United States for a rare form of teenage cancer.

You can continue donating for Mr Ashman’s seven nights, and for future events he announces, via justiving.com/crowdfuding/john-ashman.