CHURCHGOERS in Ryedale are preparing to spend a night sleeping under the stars to highlight the problem of homelessness.

Parishioners at All Saints’, in Kirkbymoorside, have formed a partnership with York Nightstop, which finds emergency overnight accommodation for young people in the homes of volunteer host families. Tonight, adults and children as young as nine will head for the churchyard with sleeping bags under their arms.

But the participants had better pack their long johns, as forecasters say there is a risk of snow on Sunday and temperatures overnight are only just going to be above freezing.

But sleep-out co-ordinator Sarah Ware said it would all be worth it and it was hoped plenty of cash would be raised through sponsorship.

She said: “People can imagine how cold we’ll get sleeping outdoors, without tents, so are responding generously with sponsorship. The more we raise, the more worthwhile a night sleeping in the January frost or rain will become.”

The problems of homeless young people, in particular around Ryedale, have motivated people in Kirkbymoorside to raise funds and awareness for the charity York Nightstop.

Tracey Ward, Nightstop project co-ordinator, said homelessness in Ryedale is a hidden problem with few people actually sleeping rough, but plenty without homes.

She said: “There is definitely a problem with homelessness. You won’t see them lying in the street, but they won’t have a home, they will be homeless.”

She said that instead the homeless would be living on other people’s sofas or be placed in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation by the council.

York Nightstop uses screened volunteers who offer a young homeless person a bed and a meal for the night.

Tracey said: “As soon as a young person turns up at one of our contact points, usually the Ryedale Council offices or YMCA in Malton, it’s a race against time to find them a safe caring host.

“Our aim is to keep them off the streets and out of hostels, among people with far more serious problems, including drug and alcohol abuse.

“That can be an unwelcome doorway into a dark world.

“So we work swiftly to find the young people a safe home for the night.

“If necessary, we find them a series of these one-night stays until they can either be helped to resolve their problems and go home, or be found more suitable accommodation.

“For volunteers it means an occasional guest, and a sense of helping out.

“For the young homeless person, it is a lifeline.”

Donations to Nightstop can be made via the Vicarage, Church Street, Kirkbymoorside YO62 6AZ.

Only last year Nightstop provided 110 nights of accommodation to young people in Ryedale and Scarborough.