A community-minded group that offers homeless people in Great Yarmouth support spent the night outside to see the issues faced by a number of people in the town.

Daniel Gallagher and Marcus Stringer - from Homeless Help GY - slept outside Poundland in the town centre for a night to see first hand the experience so many people face on a daily basis.

The big sleepout marked the pair's first anniversary of regularly donating supplies and lending an ear to many of the town's rough sleepers.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Daniel Gallagher and some of the other people who took part in the Big Sleep Out. Picture - Homeless Help GYDaniel Gallagher and some of the other people who took part in the Big Sleep Out. Picture - Homeless Help GY (Image: Homeless Help GY)On the night, Mr Gallagher and Mr Stringer were joined by members of the mental health group Walk and Talk East Anglia.

The pair also raised a whopping £2,000 which will be split between purchasing more essentials for rough sleepers in the town and the children's ward at James Paget University Hospital.

Mr Gallagher and Mr Stringer said: "We are overwhelmed by the support we have received and cannot thank you enough for your kindness, compassion, and dedication to this cause.

"Together, we are making a difference and raising awareness about the challenges faced by the homeless community.

"A massive thank you to everyone involved."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: More than £2,000 was raised for the Big Sleep Out. Proceeds will be split between buying more essentials for the town's rough sleepers and the children's ward at the James Paget. Picture - Homeless Help GYMore than £2,000 was raised for the Big Sleep Out. Proceeds will be split between buying more essentials for the town's rough sleepers and the children's ward at the James Paget. Picture - Homeless Help GY (Image: Homeless Help GY)To help address homelessness in the town, Great Yarmouth Borough Council has announced the release of its draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and is now asking for important feedback.

The strategy aims to prevent homelessness in the borough, make sure enough accommodation is, and will be, available for people who are, or may become, homeless and make sure there are adequate services to support people who are or, may become, homeless or who have been homeless and need support to prevent them becoming homeless again.

As part of the work, the council is encouraging people to complete a short survey about the strategy to better inform how it delivers its services.

A spokesperson for Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: “The council understands the problem of homelessness and rough sleeping and recognises the need for a collaborative and inclusive approach to find sustainable solutions."

People and organisations are invited to review the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and share their thoughts and insights via the survey at https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/homelessness-and-rough-sleeping-strategy

The consultation and survey close on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

To donate to the Big Sleep Out, visit gofund.me/ed3c1ae5