​The Rock Trust has launched its annual Sleep Out event for 2014 following the success of last year's which raised £28,000

The return of a charity sleep out will see dozens of people across Edinburgh, and 2,000 across the rest of the UK, give up their beds for one night and bunker down together outside in near freezing temperatures to help homeless young people.

The Rock Trust, which works with 16-25 year olds who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, is urging people to take part in this year’s sponsored event, which takes place at Festival Square, Edinburgh, on Thursday, 6 November from 7pm – 7am.

The aim of the sleep out is to raise awareness of the problems faced by homeless people whilst raising funds to provide services which help young people get off the streets and into work.

“Since our last sleep out in November 2013 we’ve supported approximately 400 young people from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, which shows homelessness is a real problem,” Rock Trust chief executive Kate Polson said.

“For the majority of people who become homeless, the main reason behind it is family breakdown or problems at school. It can really happen to anyone.

“We’re encouraging workmates, families, teams and individuals to sign up and take part to prove that homelessness isn’t an issue that can be swept under the carpet.”

Each participant will receive provisions that people on the streets rarely receive such as hot drinks throughout the night and fun activities and games including a silent disco, tug of war, and live music from Solareye, the front man of award winning Scottish hip hop standard bearers Stanley Odd.

The La Favorita Delivered pizza trailer will also be providing fresh hot pizzas for participants and Stoats will be on hand to dish out warming porridge first thing in the morning.

For more information on how to take part visit www.sleep-out.org.uk/about.