CONCOURSES in a near 50,000-seat football stadium are the unlikely setting for a charity ‘sleep-out’.

Fundraisers are invited to join the mass sleep-out at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, on Thursday November 15.

The now annual event is in support of the youth homeless charity Centrepoint and Sunderland AFC’s charitable arm, The Foundation of Light.

Sleep-Out at the Stadium will give participants a chance to experience the challenge for many homeless young people, who face cold, damp, noisy and uncomfortable surroundings on an almost daily basis as they try to settle down for a night’s rest.

It also features activities, entertainment and workshops, with all ‘sleepers’ given a hot evening meal and breakfast.

Foundation events manager Jemma Dowson said: “Sleep-Out is a great event to be part of, and it raises much needed funds to help us challenge poverty and homelessness.

“We get new people coming each year and everyone has their own story on why they are taking part.”

More than 80 people took part last year, raising more than £21,000.

Registration, costing £20, is open for participants via centrepoint.org.uk, with a target of £200 per person.