A charity for ex-Service personnel said it was delighted with the efforts of people who supported the Stags Sleep Out.

Local businesspeople braved freezing cold conditions and slept in cardboard boxes at the One Call Stadium, home of Mansfield Town Football Club, to raise awareness of the Joint Forces Alliance (JFA), which is based in Mansfeld.

Paul Andrews and Connor Doran, from Mansfield Manor Hotel; Malcolm Hall, from Hall-Fast; Paul Nyland, from Mansfield Town FC; Andy Plant, from Acorn Signs; Steve Devine-Bradbury, from Riley & Co; and Mark Burton, from Ulyett Landscapes; took part in the event.

So far they have raised more than £1,800 and people attending the fundraiser also donated food worth around £400.

It is hoped the final total will beat last year’s £2,317.36, raised for homeless and vulnerable people charity Framework.

JFA manager Ken Addison, said: “When we went down on the Saturday morning, we couldn’t believe it. It was just brilliant.

“The food will be distributed via referrals to people who need it. This sort of event is helpful in raising awareness of what we do. We have around 350 food referrals a year, so we need a lot of help.”

The charity helps people who were in the Forces and now need a little extra support.

While for some people it might be in the first few months after leaving the Forces, for others it is years after being out of the Army, Navy or Air Force that they need help.

A spokesman for the Stags Sleep Out volunteers said: “It was a good night. The pre-sleepout party was a success and to see people bringing in food for the charity was brilliant.

“The JFA is a local charity supporting people who have put their lives on the line for us.

“Sleeping out in a cardboard box for a night is not a great hardship when you think about it, so it was a pleasure to help them raise awareness.

“We would like to thank you all for your terrific support, donating for people less fortunate than ourselves — it will be integral in improving the local community.”

The JFA food bank project hands out, on average, 300 food parcels a year, which should last for two weeks, to families and individuals in crisis.

Its Lee And Ashley Memorial Furniture Project also provides furniture, white goods and items needed to make a house a home.

The JFA is hoping to open a resource centre in premises on the corner of Dame Flogan Street and White Hart Street, Mansfield.

To find out more about the JFA, go to http://jointforcesalliance.org.uk/index.html