A woman who secretly lived in a tent as a schoolgirl is now campaigning to help the homeless.

Kara Revill corr, 18, of Dover, has joined forces with Vicky Preik, 24, who was also once on the streets, to raise awareness about the issue.

Kara lived in a tent when she was 14, explaining: “I used to pitch a tent, which was behind two trees and my school was about five to 10 minutes’ walk away.

“I didn’t want to tell anyone - my school didn’t know about it.”

Kara, who was living in Folkestone at the time, says she ended up out in the cold after experiencing difficulties at home.

She says: “A lot of people don’t really understand homelessness. They just think it’s your own fault but that’s not always the case.”

It was only when Kara revealed her secret to the school nurse that she was able to get help.

Meanwhile Vicky, also from Dover, became homeless after a family breakdown.

She said: “I never thought it could happen to me. I lost my job within two months of losing my home, which was awful.

“Every time I saw someone it felt like they were judging me.”

Kara added: “I hope more people recognise that if a family breakdown does happen it’s nothing to be ashamed of - someone can help you.”

The pair, who have since found accommodation are now working with the charity Fixers and getting other young people who have slept rough to write in about their experiences.

They have then turned these testimonies into a series of posters, which appear as letters, to guide others towards help.

“When you don’t have a home you’re scared and you don’t know who to turn to, but when you’ve got a place your life can start again" - Vicky Preik

Wendy Checksfield from Porchlight Kent Homeless Charity is supporting the girls’ campaign.

She says: “Youth homelessness is certainly a massive concern and it’s definitely on the increase.

“The letters that Kara and Vicky have written and the ones that they’ve gathered will be a really valuable tool.”

At her lowest point, Vicky ,who now works as a catering assistant in Folkestone, says she was helped by a homeless charity which helped her to find accommodation and get her life back on track.

Vicky adds: “Since being in my flat I’ve now got a job and each day I’m loving it.

“When you don’t have a home you’re scared and you don’t know who to turn to, but when you’ve got a place your life can start again.”