ORGANISERS of an annual charity sleepout event have thanked residents and business owners in Kirkbymoorside for their generosity.

The Kirkbymoorside SASH big sleepout, which saw 24 local residents sleep out on pavements, in shop doorways and in the churchyard for an evening in March, has raised more than £2,000 for the charity through donations and street collections.

The annual sleepouts, which are held in various towns and cities across the county, aim to raise awareness of the problem of youth homelessness and SASH community co-ordinator Sarah Ware said that once again Kirkbymoorside has excelled in its fundraising.

She said: "Once again Kirkbymoorside has come up trumps and I just want to celebrate that so few people have managed to raise so much money."

Throughout the evening of the sleepout Sarah, who lives in Kirkbymoorside, made sure that everyone was ok and provided welcomed hot drinks in the morning.

"I think it is amazing that year on year Kirkbymoorside keeps on giving so generously," she said.

"The support from traders in particular throughout the recession has been great and people really take the charity to their hearts."

The money raised will go towards supporting the charity's vital Nightstop service where a host volunteers to look after a young homeless person for a few evenings whilst they find accommodation.

SASH is dedicated to helping 16-24 year olds who are suddenly made homeless, supporting them and helping them to find work and education.

For more information and to find out how to get involved www.sash-uk.org.uk or phone 01904 652043.