GUN dog breeder and former gamekeeper Lance Williams is a big fan of the outdoors.

But even his wife Julie and his children think he’s barking mad for his latest adventure - sleeping outside for the whole of March.

So far he’s encountered freezing weather, torrential rain, rats in a derelict barn and insects who feasted on him in the night.

His challenge is to raise money for the Great Tommy Sleep Out, a nationwide fundraiser organised by the Royal British Legion to help an estimated 6,000 veterans homeless in the UK at the moment.

But instead of sleeping rough for a night or two Lance, who spent more than 20 years game keeping, aimed higher.

He said: “I’ve no connection with the forces at all, always had the utmost respect for them and find it hard to believe that anyone can be homeless nowadays, especially ex-forces people. It is very upsetting.

“I came across the Great Tommy sleep-out at the end of February and decided to build a shelter in the garden, once built I had the idea of truly experiencing sleeping rough and decided to do the whole month.”

Lance, who has been breeding Broadleaf working Labradors for 18 years, spent his first night in the garden of his Purton home under a shelter, but his beloved dogs took up too much of the bed.

“The derelict barn was very creepy and very uncomfortable, I could hear the rats - or something - moving around.”

Then he tried a shop doorway in Royal Wootton Bassett. “Bassett high street, a very interesting reaction I had here, as my only thoughts were what would people think as I was getting my sleeping bag out. It certainly proves that we should not judge with our eyes. Very noisy, with sirens and cars most of the night.”

He spent an uncomfortable night in woods on the farm where he used to work. Three friends joined him for the experience and said a single night was enough for them.

He learned the hard way not to build a shelter in his garden next to a large bug hotel. “I woke up covered in bites, eye all swollen.”

As the end of the month approaches he’s managed to raise more than £1,600 against an original personal target of £1,000. But he’s keen to push it higher.

“I am so grateful for the support and amazed at how much I have raised so far. A company to sponsor me would be amazing and this is also the reason I am trying to find different places.”

The father of two and grandfather to five, hopes to be able to sleep one night this week at the war memorial in Purton.

Anyone who wants to help him raise more can email julie@broadleafgrainfree.co.uk for information.

The RBL says it has recently seen a 45 per cent increase in demand. The cost of living crisis is affecting many younger, single male ex-military, who can struggle to access social housing and employment. Visit rbli.co.uk