Eight volunteers slept outdoors to highlight the desperation of the homeless and raise money for them.

They endured miserable cold and rain but felt lucky that they didn't suffer abuse from drunks.

They group, from the Parochial Church Council for St Margaret of Antioch Church at St Margaret's-at-Cliffe, huddled in sleeping bags and layers of clothing last Friday night Mar 23.

They slept rough at St Margaret's Bay for the fundraising effort called Big Night Out.

By Sunday raised a total £985 was raised for Porchlight, Catching Lives and Dover Outreach Centre.

Vivienne Verren, from St Margaret's PCC, said: "We had our fingers crossed for better weather but then again if we were homeless we wouldn't have had a choice.

"The most we had to contend with was rain showers and drizzle and some raucous herring gulls at 5am.

"We didn't have to fear late-night revellers looking for a bit of 'amusement' at our expense, hostility from passers-by or being used as toilet because someone thinks that's all we're worth.

"Homelessness is a shocking embarrassment for a country such as ours and it causes physical and mental deterioration at an alarming rate."

According to the NHS, 47 is the average life expectancy for the homeless, not just rough sleepers but also sofa surfers and people living in hostels.

Donations for this sleepout will be accepted until the end of April.

Contributions can be given directly through visiting mydonate.bt.com/charities/stmargaretsatcliffeparishchurch and clicking the red Donate Now button.

That page can also be reached through the church group's website stmargaretsbenefice.org.uk.