EMPLOYEES at a welfare-to-work organisation are sleeping rough in a bid to raise cash for homeless people.

Six workers at the Redcar office of Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) will take part in the Big Tees Sleepout at Middlesbrough College on Friday, April 25.

Jim Smith is leading the team and hopes to raise up to £300 for the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, which will distribute the funds to local homeless charities.

The employment coach, will be joined by fellow staff Amy Watkinson, Diane Turner, Georgia Smith, Adam Etherington and Dan Cochrane.

He said: “We support many homeless charities across the UK and recently donated a huge number of coats, jackets and warm clothes along with cash to Teesside Homeless Action Group.

“We are doing this because we want to step into the shoes of people we help, who are less fortunate than ourselves.

“While we will be sleeping rough for one night, we have to remember that others have to do this every night. If we can raise awareness of homelessness and raise money at the same time, it will have been worthwhile.”

PPDG will match the amount of money raised by its staff through its Give As You Earn scheme, which allows workers to donate a proportion of their salary to charities or community organisations.

The third Big Tees Sleepout will start at 7pm and last for twelve hours. Anybody who wants to sponsor Jim and his team can donate funds by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/ppdg-redcar