A group of students on the National Citizenship Service (NCS) programme are appealing for help with a sleep-out in aid of a Mansfield homeless shelter.

The 15 students from Ashfield School and Vision West Nottinghamshire College, who are studying A-Levels and some a B-TEC in uniformed services, will sleep out at Newstead Abbey on 31st May, with two mentors, to raise money for the Hall Homeless Support Project.

The service provides a lifeline for homeless people from its St Peter’s Centre premises on Church Street, adjacent to St Peter’s Church.

Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, coats and foods are among the items the fundraisers are appealing for. These would then be donated to the support centre after the sleep-out.

The students said: “We chose to support the Hall because we believe it is paramount to highlight the increase in homelessness.

“We want to give back to those who have lost everything. Without outside support, the Hall is in danger of closing. That would mean all those receiving aid would have to return to the streets. The Hall provides hope and we want to raise as much as we can to help it.”

The NCS is a scheme funded by the government that aims to allow young people to become actively involved in the community.

More information about the students’ efforts can be found on Twitter, @MansfieldNCS, and Facebook, facebook.com/MansfieldNCS

Donations can be left at the college’s Derby Road reception or student union office.