A MAYOR is swapping the regalia and warmth of his office for two nights on the streets to raise awareness of homelessness and a special theatre group.

Councillor Barry Hunt, the Mayor or Redcar and Cleveland has vowed to sleep rough over Christmas for charity “come rain, hail or snow”.

The 68-year-old will sleep rough on Redcar High Street from 9pm to 8am on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and has already raised about £3,000.

All of the money raised will go to the Mayor’s chosen charities – Redcar’s Coatham House, a charity which provides safe accommodation for young people in housing need, and Earthbeat, a theatre group for adults with learning disabilities.

And with some reports predicting showers on Christmas Eve and strong winds on Christmas night, the councillor will face the reality of those who have nowhere to sleep during the winter months.

Cllr Hunt, who regularly sleeps rough in January with a group of charity fundraisers to raise money for Coatham House, said: “I’ll do it whether it’s snow rain, hail whatever. This is going to happen. I am very passionate about both those charities.

“The reaction I’ve had from the public has been brilliant. I can happily say we’ve had £3,000 either donated or pledged so far and I’m hoping to a fair bit more.

“There are people in our country who sleep rough and many more who are sofa surfers or have serious problems. They need our support.

“It won’t be a comfortable Christmas for me, but I think this is a really effective way of getting even the slightest glimpse of the long, cold and lonely nights many people face.

“Sleeping outside is not only physically demanding, but mentally demanding as well, which is why I wanted to do it on my own at Christmas. By giving up the warm comforts we all sometimes take for granted, especially at this time of year, I hope to raise a lot of money.”

More than £935 has so far been donated online and Cllr Hunt raised £500 just from going around council offices dressed as a penguin and carrying a bucket, with more cash promised in donations.

To donate visit: www.gofundme.com/mayors-christmas-sleep-out