Nearly 100 people took their sleeping bags and pillows to the medieval surroundings of Salisbury Cathedral on Friday night (March 03) to mark the Alabaré BIG Sleep.

Expected downpours which had plagued the city throughout the day eased off, much to the relief of some of the fundraisers.

Attendees of the BIG Sleep included John Glen MP and the deputy commander of Larkhill Garrison, Lieutenant Colonel David Penniall- as well as students of Godolphin School and other community groups.

Alabaré chief executive Andrew Lord said he was grateful for the support of the city’s residents.

“It is a wonderful event and raises money for Alabaré, but it also gives us an opportunity to get a small sense of what it is like to be homeless."

John Glen echoed Mr Lord’s comments and said it should be about remembering those in the community who are less fortunate.

Sodexo, who supplied food and rations to the fundraisers, also had five of their staff sleeping in the Cathedral Cloisters.

Services manager Mo O’Leary said she had been moved by the plight of homeless ex servicemen.

She said: “The least we can do is give something back, and it can be upsetting seeing them on the streets.

“I feel guilty that we are not doing more.”

Pastor Matt Moore of Winterslow Baptist Church said that the event was also about building relationships in the community, and praised Salisbury for not turning a blind eye to rough sleepers.

“People in Salisbury are trying to do something about the homeless situation.

“We cannot just forget about people just because they do not act like us or look like us."