A UNIVERSITY chaplain is to sleep rough to raise money for the homeless.
The Rev Matthew Pollard, a chaplain at Huddersfield University, and students are to settle down for a night on the pavement to raise both money and awareness about homelessness.
Money raised from the event, which takes place overnight on Friday on the university campus, will be given to the Kirklees Refugees and Friends Together (Kraft) organisation.
The voluntary group works closely with asylum seekers and refugees, many of whom are homeless.
Mr Pollard said it was important for people to remember the hardship of those less fortunate than themselves.
He added: "Christian churches have traditionally made an effort towards the end of January to remember and try to do something about the problems homeless people face. We stand in solidarity with all who suffer."
A Kraft spokeswoman said there were more than 200 homeless asylum seekers living rough in the Huddersfield area.
She added: "The money will go towards our hardship fund, which is vitally important because destitute asylum seekers do not get any public funds.
"We are grateful to the university students, not just for the money we will receive from their efforts but also for the solidarity they are showing with the people with whom we work. Often these people are totally reliant on organisations like Kraft."
