A group of Hereford fundraisers got a snapshot of the struggles faced by homeless people in the city during a sleep-out event.

More than 20 people volunteered to brave the cold and sleep rough at the Yard in Aubrey Street.

The group was raising money and awareness for Ethos, which is the umbrella charity for Hereford homeless support and not-for-profit community cafe, the Living Room.

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The charity aims to enable people going through tough times to have a space available and someone to support them before they reach crisis point and issues like homelessness, poverty and social decline occur.

The participants gathered at the Yard at 8pm on Friday evening and participated in a treasure hunt to find items that would make their night's sleep slightly more comfortable.

They went on to sleep in the outside courtyard at the city venue in sleeping bags until 6am on Saturday morning.

Deanna Grey, a student nurse from Hereford, said she has experienced poverty in her younger years and empathises with what homeless people are suffering.

She said: "I've been through struggles as a child and as a teenager and I think it is really important that I give something back. It's something that I'm very passionate about."

"With the cost-of-living crisis, I can only see things getting worse in the short term. There are so many families already struggling to make ends meet."

Anthony Beckett, a street pastor and ambassador for Vennture, which works in Hereford on busy weekend nights to keep vulnerable people safe, also volunteers at the Living Room once a week.

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He said: "It's surprising, even somewhere like sleepy rural Hereford, there's a lot of people out there who need help, and some people can slip through the cracks."

"Organisations like the Living Room are absolutely vital and a lifeline for people who are in need."

Melanie Groves, chief executive of the Living Room in Hereford, organised and took part in the sleep out.

She said: "It's great to be supported with this. We aim to raise not only money but also awareness of the struggles of homeless people in Hereford and around the county."