THE Merry Hill Centre will host a sleep out next month to raise awareness of youth homelessness.

YMCA Black Country Group is calling on people to sleep outside at the centre's car park as part of the Sleep Easy fundraiser on Friday March 8.

YMCA Black Country Group is one of several local YMCAs across the country that have joined forces to raise awareness during the national Sleep Easy Week which runs from March 8 to 17.

All money raised will help support young people and vulnerable adults who are moving on from YMCA Black Country Group services to take a positive next step in their lives.

Sally Cowan, YMCA Black Country Group Chief Housing Officer, said: “I’m really looking forward to Sleep Easy 2019. The night promises to be a fun, yet humbling experience. Sleeping rough for one night is tough, it’s cold, and it’s uncomfortable. But I know I will be safe and that the next morning I will get to go home to a warm house, a shower and a supportive family. That is sadly not the reality for all young people. The money raised at Sleep Easy makes a massive difference to the lives of the young people we serve and I would encourage anyone to take part.”

Last year's sleep out raised £10,000.

To register for the Sleep Easy event with YMCA Black Country Group visit their website.