COMMUNITY-minded local businesses are being urged to take part in an event to raise awareness of local homelessness.

YMCA Bournemouth is hosting The BIG Sleep Easy at Bournemouth Sports Club in Chapel Gate on November 17, with directors and employees from more than 20 businesses expected to brave the cold, build shelters out of cardboard boxes and sleep outside for the night.

Local companies, groups and organisations are being encouraged to put forward a team for the event, which lasts from 6.45pm to 8am, and help raise awareness of homelessness as well as raise funds to support the charity's work.

Fundraising manager Martin Stockley said: “We had such great feedback from our previous Sleep Easy collaborations with Bournemouth University and Lytchett Minster School, we wanted to open the opportunity up to the local business community, who we thought would also benefit from the event’s team-building aspects, positive local community involvement and resulting impact.

“The aim is to raise at least £10,000 to go towards our work providing the support that homeless individuals need to help them return to independent living and a positive long-term future.”

Local businesses already putting teams forward include Altogether Care, Corbin & Co and Make Studio, plus Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry members ITSB, Keyfort and Lester Aldridge.

Organisations wishing to take part can request an information pack from Martin Stockley on 07897 563 473 or martin.stockley@ymcabournemouth.org.uk. Individual fundraisers are also welcome.