PUPILS have been getting a taste of life on the streets as they raise money and awareness of homeless charity for young people.

More than 40 youngsters slept in the hall of St Bernadette’s RC Primary School, in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, to show their support for Depaul UK. And to get a real sense of the desperation of being homeless the pupils slept on the floor and had only soup for supper.

Louise Brady, who helped organise the event, said: “One of the teachers did an assembly on the issue of homelessness to raise awareness that they are quite privileged to live in nice warm homes and it is good to let them see that there are children less fortunate than themselves.

“We had 42 children sleeping on the floor in the hall and for a little bit of authenticity, we served them soup and a bun.

“They stayed in the hall until 8am and they all paid £10 for the chance to take part.”

Depaul UK helps young people who are homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged to get their lives back on track by helping them to find secure housing and restart in education.