By STACEY MULLEN

A GROUP of fundraisers are going to brave the streets of Glasgow for an entire week by sleeping rough and experiencing what it is like to be homeless.

The unusual sponsored ‘sleep-out’ has been organised by the charity Teen Challenge Strathclyde who help people with addiction issues.

Those taking part have collected sponsorship to raise vital funds for the charity.

Money, however, will also be raised by the fundraisers on the street for the homeless.

The fundraisers, who will mainly be based in Sauchiehall Street, will be holding signs and asking for help from the public as they have no food, money or provisions for sleeping.

The group will also use when necessary provisions for the homeless in the city but they insist they will wait last to ensure those who need it the most get it first.

Michael Sturrock, of Teen Challenge Strathclyde, is heading up the group.

He said: “There is a stigma attached to homelessness and a lot of people automatically think drug addict.

“That is not always the case, there are people who have left the army or that can’t get rehoused.”

He added: “I was speaking to a homeless guy who shared a house with his father who died. The house got re-mortgaged and sold.

“He has been left on the streets.

“It’s not always addiction. Most of the guys also use drugs to get by on the streets on through the night.

“It’s tough out there.”

The group have previously completed 24 hour and 48 hour ‘sleep-out’ challenges but this year they decided to up their game with an entire week.

Michael said: “We wanted to do an entire week because for homeless people, it is constant and consistent with them.

“They don’t have any place to go back to.”

He added: "We picked the heart of winter because we want to live how they live, and experience what it is like to be out on the streets in this weather."

The group started yesterday morning and plan to finish on Friday.

And although it is just a few hours into the challenge, they are already pleased with the response.

Michael said: "We have already raised £150 in a few hours in. People have been so generous.

"For some reason people want to give to us instead of the guys on the streets because they feel we will use that better."

The group are keen to remind the public that helping the city's homeless is not always about giving.

Michael said: "The homeless value someone showing a bit of interest in them and speaking to them.

"They want money as well but they wanted to be treated as a normal human being."

He added: "If you see people, invest time in them. Have some compassion."

You can help the group with their efforts by donating. They will based in the city centre for the rest of the week collecting money.