FAMILIES are experiencing what it is like to be sleeping on the streets in support of World Homeless Day.

The Really Big South Essex Sleep Out sees Southend residents spend the night rough sleeping to experience a brief glimpse into the hardship rough sleepers have to face every day on the streets.

This year’s event takes place tomorrow and will see families throughout Southend raising cash for to help rough sleepers.

Last year, Southend resident Jenny Kyriacou and her daughters, Chiara, eight, and Sofia, seven, slept out in their garden to raise money for Harp, Southend’s homeless charity.

The young pair raised £122 for the charity.

Jenny said: “I took part as I felt it would be a great way for my children to learn about homelessness, while also spending time together and having a bit of fun.

“It was also a way for me to give something back to a worthy cause.”

A recent Government snapshot of rough sleeper numbers found that around 4,750 people were on the streets in a single night across the UK.

The Really Big Essex Sleep Out is held annually and is as an opportunity for charities and parents to educate their children on the challenges rough sleepers face.

Jenny added: “The girls were really excited at the thought of sleeping outside and saw it as an adventure.

“Chiara said it was good and she really enjoyed it, although they were both aware of why we were braving the cold in October and afterwards said that they couldn’t do it every night like some people have to.”

If you would like to take part in this year’s sleep out, go to essexsleepout.org