STAFF from GreenSquare, who braved the cold and slept on the streets to raise awareness of homelessness, have donated a cheque for £3,000 to Doorway.

The team of six, including GreenSquare's chief executive Howard Toplis, spent the night sleeping out in St Andrew's Churchyard in Chippenham alongside 36 others for the annual SleepOut event in January.

The £3,000 that they raised on the night will go towards the Chippenham charity's drop in centre, which helps people who are homeless, sofa surfing, or who have complex issues that might affect their ability to acquire or sustain a tenancy.

Howard Toplis, GreenSquare’s chief executive, said: "We have been really overwhelmed by the generosity of people who sponsored us to take part in the SleepOut. For us it was only one night, and we knew that we had a home to go back to, but for many this is their reality every night.

"We hope that the money raised by us, and by the others who took part in the event, will help to ensure that Doorway's vital drop-in centre continues to able to support homeless people in Chippenham and across the county."

Mr Toplis was joined at the SleepOut by GreenSquare’s Helen Clarke, insight developer; Sue Matthews, community involvement officer; Neil Matthews, warehouse and purchasing officer; Ali Owens, tenancy enforcement officer; and Sarah Offord, business systems support analyst.

Lisa Lewis, Doorway's chief executive, who accepted the cheque from GreenSquare on Monday, said: "We are delighted to receive such a fantastic amount from GreenSquare thanks to their fundraising efforts for the SleepOut.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to the GreenSquare team, and to everyone who took part in the SleepOut – we’re extremely grateful for all the support we've had and the donations are still coming in.”