TWO kind-hearted friends are preparing to swap their warm, cosy beds for sleeping bags and a night under the stars, to raise hundreds of pounds for a homelessness charity.

Rebekah Taylor and Becki Cooper will spend the night sleeping rough in Darlington town centre on Saturday, December 5.

They hope to raise awareness, as well as funds, for the Darlington charity First Stop, which aims to help those at risk of homelessness.

Ms Taylor, who works at the Baydale Beck pub, in Low Coniscliffe, said: "Homelessness is something that has always been an important issue to me personally.

"It has come to light a little bit more recently, when you look at how things are going to change with respect to benefit cuts.

"Unfortunately, it may be that more people are going to to find themselves in a position where they are unable to cope.

"Everybody does it, when they get up in the morning, and they've got worries about their job or their car, but most people would never imagine waking up in the morning and not knowing where they are going to lay their head that night.

"There is a lot of stigma around being homeless that people do not want or do not know how to get past.

"We spoke to a few different charities before deciding we wanted to help First Stop.

"These guys are so dedicated, they spend every day pointing people in the right direction and ensuring people do not spend a night on the streets.

"It is something that is important to both of us, as we feel it is important to recognise that everyone is human and everyone has a right to be safe."

The women will be collecting for the charity during their night on the streets and will base themselves in the Blackwellgate area, at the heart of Darlington's evening economy.

They hope to raise a minimum of £250.

Donations can also be made at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/rebecca-taylor-3