Hundreds of people braved the rain and slept rough for a night to raise money for and awareness of those living homeless in West London.

Around 460 people spent the night in cardboard boxes at Hillingdon Athletics Stadium, in Gatting Way, Uxbridge on Friday (November 28). Together they have raised around £65,000 so far, with that total still rising.

The annual Big Sleepout event was organised this year by Trinity Homeless Projects, based in Redford Way, Uxbridge, together with Slough-based charity Slough Homeless Our Concern (SHOC).

Trinity Homeless Projects spokesman Andy Robertson said it had been the biggest event of its kind yet, adding: "It was an amazing event. To have that many people choosing to do what they did and the fact it rained unexpectedly through the night, it meant many people had to lose their boxes and improvise, which is sort of the point. It gave them an appreciation of what others go through. The spirit of the place was amazing."

Trinity Homeless Projects provides 73,000 nights of accommodation to homeless people in the Hillingdon borough every year, as well as work placements and life coaching for 200 people.