AS the temperatures on Friday night plummeted below freezing, and we all piled extra blankets on our beds and cranked up the central heating, there was a group of about 50 people voluntarily sleeping rough in Grimsby to highlight a very big issue. Reporter KATIE BLACKBURN was among those taking part in the Sleep Easy event.

ANYONE who knows me will agree I am not the type of person to embrace the cold weather.

So when I decided to sleep rough for 12 hours in winter, I knew it was going to be a huge challenge.

Despite this, I could not let it deter me from an opportunity to join others in helping raise awareness of young homelessness.

The YMCA Sleep Easy event was a test of endurance for myself as a participant, but in reality it is only a glimpse into the lives of those who sleep rough every day.

I arrived in the grounds of Shoreline Housing Partnership, Westgate Park, Charlton Street, Grimsby, at 6.30pm on Friday, where I was greeted with people unpacking cars full of cardboard.

It was a surreal setting and I felt almost part of a film production based on the end of the world.

With the freezing temperatures fast approaching I could feel the goosebumps already appearing on my skin – through two pairs of socks, a thermal top and shorts, several jumpers, hat, gloves and scarf.

Although this was nothing compared to the extra clothing and warm attire I had reserved in my travel suitcase, all ready to layer on top when needed.

My friend Charlotte Smith agreed to join me on the night and it was not long before we found an ideal spot to pitch ourselves for the night.

Well I say ideal, it was an empty bit of concrete ground at the front of Shoreline's building where we off loaded our donated cardboard.

Now step one of survival for the night was to build our shelter – easier said than done.

We were well equipped and had ground sheets, bubble wrap and shrink wrap to use as installation around the cardboard, but we soon realised there was nothing sheltering our front.

Thankfully help arrived in the form of a YMCA van packed full of spare cardboard for everyone to dig in to.

It was like mice to cheese and, bit by bit, the pile was reduced, our helpings gave the shelter an added extension and we stacked boxes on top of each other to act as a barrier in the entrance.

We laid out our sleeping bags and blankets inside and looked approvingly at each other.

Sitting inside all wrapped up adding on extra layers of clothing gave us time to think about real life.

To us this was a novelty, something that excited us, knowing tomorrow we can look back and laugh about it – reassurances that don't exist for real homeless people, who are truly vulnerable and lonely, wishing their nightmare could end.

It was about 8pm and building the shelter had taken a toll on our hunger.

Luckily, Grimsby Come Dine With Me star Indy Niijar, of Indy N Ink tattoo studio – who joined in with Sleep Easy – took the time to prepare two hot meals, a homemade stew and a curry which he brought with him on the night.

Among many others taking part in the event were representatives of The Foyer, Shoreline Housing, members of North East Lincolnshire Council and the general public all braving the cold for the cause.

The atmosphere throughout the night was relaxed – many people fixed themselves to their shelters once built in a bid to seek warmth.

After visiting the provided warm room at about 11pm for a cup of soup and to feel our toes again, we decided it was time to climb into our sleeping bags for the remainder of the night.

It was very difficult to fall asleep with the air biting at our faces, but we managed to shut our eyes for the odd half- hour here and there.

Elated was the only word that could have described the sound of cardboard being torn down and tape being ripped off when our eyes opened at 6am.

Thank goodness it was all over and we could go home to a warm shower and a heated home – the items many of us take for granted – but knowing that thousands of people across the UK will have no other choice but to sleep rough again tonight.

Only for them, there is no warm room, no stew or curry on hand, no friend to share the long hours with or a suitcase full of extra warm clothing.

I would encourage more people to get behind Sleep Easy next year, if for just one night you can leave your home to support those who don't have one then we are on the right tracks to decreasing this rising problem.

Look out for another feature coming soon announcing the grand total raised and thanks from all those involved.