A 24-hour sleepathon has helped raise cash for vital bedding for both Maidstone's homeless and orphans in Malawi.

Wonderful Creative Agency camped out at Carpetright in Aylesford for a whole day to boost funds for Maidstone Winter Shelter.

Friday night's sleep over kicked off at 5pm on Friday and continued overnight as staff clubbed together to shake buckets and shout about the initiative dubbed "Bed For Beds".

James Gray, account director at Wonderful Creative Agency, said: "We have our own charitable foundation which was set up in 2015.

"We thought it would be a wonderful thing to do so that we can give something back and it is something that we like to do regularly.

"We have worked with the orphanage in Malawi before, with past donations going towards the installation of a clean water supply, and our managing director and charity founder, Dan Maudhub, has been out there on the ground as well.

"It's great to help a local cause, in helping the homeless too. We have been supporting the orphanage in Malawi, and now we are raising awareness for the homeless closer to home too."

The team's target was to raise £2,500 to allow The Wonderful Foundation to source and donate beds, bedding and vital mosquito nets in Malawi; and bedding closer to home for the winter shelter in Maidstone.

James added: "We have all been fundraising individually, and the actual 24 hour sleep-in stunt itself came out of a collaborative team brainstorm session.

"There are lots of people who do things like sleeping rough for a night as a one-off stunt, but were concerned this was a little insensitive as they usually have a warm bed to go to the following night.

"We thought we would try something different, partnering with a big retail store like Carpetright for more face-to-face exposure. We're really grateful for them being so accommodating, with their staff staying in store overnight with us too. The Wonderful Creative Agency will also be match-funding whatever is donated."

Buckets were shaken outside the store as James and his colleagues looked to hit their £2,500 target.

If you would like to donate then visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/bed-for-beds