DUVETS, sleeping bags and pieces of cardboard will be the only protection against the elements for teachers sleeping out on the streets tonight in a bid to raise awareness of homelessness in the town.

Members of staff from Ferndale Primary and Nursery School will complete the sponsored sleep-out in aid of the Swindon Night Shelter tonight.

Gary Evans, headteacher of the school, said: "Homelessness is on the increase. There's a lot of speculation that it's to do with wages and an increase in mental health issues. People find themselves in a desperate hole.

"Any support would be very, very welcome."

Ferndale Primary recently received a dementia-friendly award after the staff and pupils were trained about the issue.

The sleep-out is intended to inform the public of the stigmas surrounding mental health and how conditions can contribute to homelessness.

Mr Evans said ahead of the sleep-out that authenticity was important: "We want to keep it as real and as practical as possible."

Children at the school have been engaging with the issue of homelessness in class with help from the Swindon Night Shelter themselves, and the school also has links with the Carfax Medical Centre.

Robert Truman, year 5 teacher at the school, is also taking part in the sleep-out.

He said: "It's something I've always been quite passionate about, as are the other teachers."

He added: "I'm looking forward to it, but nervous. It should give everyone more empathy towards people who are homeless.

"You realise what it's like when you are actually doing it yourself."

School closures during the recent snowstorms prevented teachers from completing the sleep-out earlier this month.

So far the school has raised more than £650 for Swindon Night Shelter, with donors sending words of encouragement and reminders to the participants to wrap up warm for the cold night ahead.

The Swindon Night Shelter is a Christian charity which seeks to serve the homeless and vulnerable in the area. They run a night shelter every Friday night and offer hot meals and beds for rough sleepers.

To support the school's sponsored sleep-out, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ferndalesleepout