A HARDY Mayor is half way through his bid to sleep rough at a series of Cenotaphs throughout east Cleveland.

The Mayor of Loftus and Town Councillor Barry Hunt started his challenge on Bonfire Night, which saw him snuggle into his sleeping bag at Carlin How as he raises funds for the Armed Forces Charity, SSAFA ā€“ formerly known as the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Families Association.

The 70-year-old, who is targeting eleven Cenotaphs in eleven nights to raise awareness, said: ā€œIā€™m doing this for all the people in our forces that have come home with mental health problems and homelessness issues - not only the ones that have problems now, but also the thousands that have not had help in the past. We must look after them as all they have done is look after us."

He has also slept on the streets in villages including Skinningrove, Skelton and Easington before finishing in Loftus. On Sunday, he will attend a Service of Thanksgiving to lay a wreath at Loftus War Memorial.