A YOUTH homelessness charity will mark World Homeless Day on Saturday with a public ‘sofa-surf’ in York's Parliament Street.

SASH (Safe and Sound Homes) says its supporters will take it in turns to sleep on a sofa throughout the day, highlighting what it means to be young and homeless today.

There will be an information point and people to talk to about how SASH helps tackle the problem.

Spokeswoman Emma Bracegirdle said: "The stereotype of a homeless person sleeping on the streets is not the reality for most 16 to 25-year-olds who have nowhere to call home. Instead, they are sleeping on sofas and floors with friends or relatives, until they run out of options.

"The practice puts them at risk of abuse and can lead to them dropping out of education or employment."

She said SASH volunteers kept vulnerable young people safe in an emergency and helped them to find long-term accommodation, with help offered to more than 100 young people over the past three months. She thanked Browns of York for the loan of the sofa on Saturday.

A sponsored sleepover is also being held in Helmsley on Friday in support of SASH to mark World Homeless Day.

It has been organised by All Saints Church for anyone of school age and above.

Starting at 9pm with Compline (ancient night prayer), there will be activities including a talk from a member of SASH, before hot chocolate and bed.

At 8am on Saturday there will be a simplified version of Morning Prayer followed by bacon butties.

Annika Dowson, one of the organisers, said: “At the end of August I took part in a ‘pilot’ sleepover at the church to make sure that it would be suitable for people to come along to if we decide to do this event and I found it rather spiritual, and calm.”

SASH helps prevent young people from becoming homeless by offering them a room in the home of a volunteer.

The charity runs the Nightstop service that ensures young people are kept safe at night in an emergency, thanks to a network of volunteer hosts.

To support the sleepover, register as places are limited. Anyone is welcome to Compline and listen to the SASH talk. A donation would be appreciated. The church will be open for these people to leave up until 11pm.

For more information or to register, email annikadowson@ymail.com or Reverend Tim Robinson at tim.robinson123@btinternet.com, or phone 01439 770983. Participants must make contact 24 hours before the event.