30 people who slept in the grounds of Ely Cathedral have raised nearly £4,000 for a homelessness charity - more than triple the original target.
Cathedral staff and clergy, The Right Reverend Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon & Acting Bishop of Ely, and her lurcher, Tilda, took part in the Advent Sleepout on Friday 12 December, along with members of the public.
Those participating on the night had the option to sleep outside in the Processional Way courtyard or inside Ely Cathedral’s 14th century Lady Chapel.
All the money raised from the annual event will go to the Cambridge Churches Homeless Project (CCHP) and the national charity, Crisis. Anyone still wishing to donate should visit Cambridge Churches Homelessness Project and Crisis.
Canon James Reveley, who took part and helped organise the event, said:
"It was the first time for several years that we had an advent sleep out at the cathedral.
"Thirty of us took part, including the Bishop and two cathedral canons, representing people of all ages, some of whom had never been in the cathedral before.
"All of us wanted to share our common concern for those who live with homelessness and to do something to raise some funds for organisations that help.
"We all shared in the discomfort of sleeping on a hard stone floor or outside on a cold winter's night with all the unfamiliar sounds and vulnerabilities that go with it.
"One participant who didn't get any proper sleep until 5am then experienced something of those who sleep rough when it was time to be woken again just before 7am as it was time to pack up.
"We are so grateful to everyone who sponsored us or donated towards the charities that work with homeless people.
"We had hoped to raise £1,000, in the end it is almost £4,000 so a very big thank you”.