A BOXING champion who challenged himself to sleep rough for three nights said it taught him about the darker side of life.

Nick Jenman left his house last Monday morning wearing just a jumper, jacket, trousers, socks, trainers and a hat.

He did not take a mobile phone or a sleeping bag.

He stayed in places such as Brighton Station, Western Road and West Street.

The 32-year-old returned to his home in Woodingdean on Thursday.

He said he was surprised to find not all rough sleepers are willing to get help to turn their lives around – even though services are available.

He said: “I started a crowdfunding campaign to help Brighton Housing Trust.

“I took on this challenge to teach my daughter, Scarlett, who is six, understand what it is like to be living with no home.

“I told her the people who sleep outside don’t have the luxuries like she does.

“I said to her ‘if you are hungry you can ask mum or dad for food’, but for rough sleepers, it’s not that easy.”

Nick was a Moulsecoomb Amateur Boxing Club member and reached a new high in his career when he won the Southern Area middleweight title in 2016.

His victory came after a thrilling ten-round match against Aylesbury’s Nathan Graham at the Brighton Metropole Hotel.

He said: “Every day I train, go to work, and do training again.

“I’m used to busy days, but when I was sleeping rough, it was such a struggle. After having a meal at the shelter, there is just nothing to do.

“This is what rough sleepers go through every day, and I think the boredom can really get to you.

“I’ve only slept for an average of two hours a day.

“I had to stay alert because you never know what will happen out there.

“I have learnt so much over the past few days sleeping on the streets.

“For a start I didn’t expect to see so many people taking drugs.

“I’ve met about 50 people and some of them don’t want help.

“One night I met a young girl at the Clock Tower who told me she had a child in care.

“But she said it was easier for her to stay on the streets to get drugs.

“I felt scared for her because she was alone.

“Brighton has charities that provide food, showers, clean clothes and cheap accommodation, but not everyone takes the opportunity.

“There are people who genuinely want to change.

“I met a man, who works as a chef for two days, sleeps rough and he uses the shelter to shower.”

To help Nick fundraise, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/nick-jenman.