A CAMPAIGNER in Sunningdale is urging businesses and residents from Ascot and beyond to take part in the UK's largest annual sleepout to help combat youth homelessness.

Sally Hanson will be joining 70 other people spending a night in Forbury Gardens, Reading, as part of Byte Night, which will be taking place in ten cities nationwide this October.

The initiative raises money for the charity Action for Children, which ensures disadvantaged young people have a safe place to call home.

Ms Hanson, who also chairs the Thames Valley board for the event, said: “Byte Night can be tough but that just reinforces the reason for sleeping out.

“I have a choice whereas the young people we support simply don’t.”

The Reading leg of the sleepout is now in its tenth year and has raised a million pounds since it started, while for Ms Hanson this year's Byte Night will be her 14th.

“Each year the sleepout gets better and the camaraderie you feel with everyone even more special,” she added.

“Although it's a hard night, it's also fun - but the difference is we can return to warm homes, full fridges and cosy beds in the morning. For many children and young people living in UK this simply isn't the case.”

She has met some of the young people who benefit from Action for Children's work and heard their inspiring and occasionally heartbreaking stories.

She continued: “They often run away from abusive homes but don’t want to be on their own.

“Every year, I feel proud as more and more money is raised to provide greater support, which can really help put their lives back on track.”

Notable firms including Barclays, Symantec and Vodafone have already signed up for this year's sleepout, but Ms Hanson says it's not too late to register.

“We're still looking for other companies from any industry to join us,” she added.

“This is your chance to take part in a truly life changing event - and make a difference to the lives of young people in our region.”

For more information visit bytenight.org.uk or email bytenight@actionforchildren.org.uk